Airline 'shambles'
WELL, it all seems to be starting already, and what can we do about it? We have no choice. What am I talking about? Let me enlighten you. The weekend of 22 March 2014 brought the annual netball inter-insulars, played over both Saturday and Sunday, from under-11 level all the way up to veterans. I was lucky enough, or unlucky as far as expensive air tickets were concerned, to have two daughters representing the island that weekend and, as a proud father, booked my tickets through Aurigny, ready to shout for the Green Army.
I did this nice and early as I knew there would be a high demand, as I'm sure a lot of parents and supporters did, but about two weeks before I got told that my flights had changed, going out and coming back. Only 20 minutes later each way so that wasn't a problem, as I was flying out the day before so time wasn't a major issue.
It became an issue when on 17 March I got a call from Aurigny again, saying that they had changed my flight on Sunday 23 March to 4.30pm. I explained that this was no good to me as I wouldn't be able to watch all the netball, and especially my daughters.
As I write this they might be putting a 7.30pm flight on but I have to call back as soon as I can in the morning because there are a lot of people experiencing the same problems.
I would normally switch to another airline with this sort of service but – guess what? – there isn't one and I would be charged no doubt, not a fact, but a previous experience would suggest so.
Also, from another point of view, I know parents who had children playing at 10am on the Sunday morning, and were flying out on the same day on an earlier flight but, were also told that the first flight would not be until 10am. So, the problem they now have is changing the flight to the day before, having to pay for an overnight stay, which when you consider they have to eat, and arrange a hotel, while already having spent money on the children to play for their island, is proving to be a very expensive weekend.
It is an utter shambles all round, and as much as I try and support local businesses, when things like this happen, it doesn't breed confidence. Let me just say how sorry I am for the women on the phone giving out this news as they have been polite and as helpful as will allow, but the organisation is a disgrace as it already smacks of, tough luck, you will fly when we tell you.
People arrange flights around plans that have been made, and the way this has been handled has caused stress, extra financial burden and lack of trust (again) in our local airline.
I'm sure I speak on behalf of quite a few people placed in this situation.
JAMES GREENING,
jamesgdj@cwgsy.net
Editor's footnote: Rob Veron of Blue Islands and Malcolm Coupar of Aurigny reply:
'Traditionally Aurigny and Blue Islands have been big supporters of local sport and recognise the importance of inter-insular competitions and the positive role they play in our community. The regular transportation of sports teams between the islands has been a service we have been proud to offer as individual airlines for many years.
Unfortunately market conditions and the economic climate make it impossible for us to continue to offer huge amounts of last-minute availability and Aurigny and Blue Islands can no longer sustain a service where around 50% of the seats on their aircraft remain unsold.
In order to maintain a viable inter-island service for everyone Aurigny and Blue Islands have joined forces to instigate a code-share operation that, it is hoped, will work financially for both airlines and operationally for islanders. We hope that this action will protect this vital service for Channel Islanders for many years to come.
The new service has just been launched and we are constantly monitoring the operation to resolve any unforeseen issues and to meet our customers' needs.
The feedback we receive from your correspondents is very important to us and we welcome dialogue with members of the travelling public.
If any sports teams are having difficulty in securing seats through either website they should
contact either airline to discuss their situations. Aurigny and Blue Islands are in constant communication about the service and are discussing the existing schedule to see how it can be improved. We will not become complacent and we will take note of customers' views and make adjustments where they are viable.
Both airlines are keen to point out that large sports groups that wish to travel should always book well in advance so that we can schedule sufficient capacity to accommodate the demand and, if required, organise charter flights.
On the weekend of 22/23 March the codeshare operation was able to add, at short notice, three additional flights on Saturday and one on Sunday while Aurigny operated one extra charter flight.
