Sunday evening London City flight planned by Aurigny

The airline has operated two round trips five days a week to the central London hub since 8 September last year.

It has carried almost 20,000 passengers on the route, which it called 'a remarkable success', with passenger numbers ahead of its forecasts.

Aurigny began the London City route after discussions with key organisations in the island's finance sector, timing the service to allow a whole business day in London or Guernsey.

Flight time is generally just over an hour.

It said that the slots were also proving popular with the London leisure market.

'Many people combine meetings with a weekend visit,' a spokesman said, 'in part due to the convenience of the airport to ExCel London and The O2 venue.'

Peter Mills, the past chairman of the Guernsey International Business Association, was among those who lobbied for the City link.

'From a personal point of view I've found it useful,' he said, 'I hope the business community will continue to support it and that Aurigny can make it viable.

'I never saw it as a replacement for a Gatwick service or anything like that, but it is certainly very convenient for the City of London and even the West End.'

But a spate of cancellations and issues with the service in recent times were of greater concern than similar incidents would be at Gatwick because of the lack of flight alternatives, Mr Mills said.

'With only two flights a day, to make it work it needs to be regular and reliable and not prone to last-minute cancellations.'

The airport closes for 24 hours each weekend, from Saturday lunchtime to Sunday lunchtime, and Aurigny said it was planning to start a new service on a Sunday evening at some point this winter.

Flights to London City start at £64.50 one way.