An estimated 35,022 first-time visitors travelled by air between January and August, up 30% from 26,924 in the same period last year.
Last year’s figure was itself slightly down on 2024, when there were 27,375. First-timers now make up 29% of all air visitors, up from 25% in 2025.
The estimates come from new analysis by the States’ Data & Analysis team, which combines Guernsey Ports passenger numbers with visitor exit surveys at the airport.
‘Overall passenger numbers are up, but visitor numbers have grown much faster, and the 30% increase in first-time visitors is particularly positive,’ said Economic Development president Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller.
‘These figures are very encouraging for 2026, despite the geopolitical uncertainty and the changing travel patterns we are seeing.’
London routes drove much of the growth, accounting for 16,516 first-time visitors across Gatwick, London City and Heathrow. First-time visitors on Gatwick rose by 35% on last year.
The Heathrow service, which began in April, brought an estimated 5,422 first-time visitors in its first five months, more than half of all visitors using the route.
Between May and August it averaged 1,306 first-timers a month, second only to Gatwick’s 1,565, and accounted for 19% of all first-time air visitors to the island.
The more detailed data is being developed as part of work on the island’s new air policy. Deputy Kazantseva-Miller said route-level visitor information would be published in the regular Travel Bulletin from the first quarter of next year.
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