Barcelona or bust...
I UNDERSTAND that Aurigny has recently announced new routes to Luton, Leeds Bradford and Norwich which, during my long service in ground handling at the airport, have all been trialled and failed by previous airlines over the years.
This leads me on to the Guernsey/Barcelona/Guernsey services through four weeks in the summer. Scheduling confirms the flight leaves Guernsey at 6.30pm, arriving back at 10.40pm (way past operating times). If this flight arrives on schedule (which of course is uncertain) the charges for extension to operating hours will be, according to the latest airport figures, in the region of £1,179 but should the aircraft run 30 minutes late this will increase to £3,030. Also, being a Friday evening the likelihood of taxis being available is uncertain as they are committed to Town clients.
As stated above, during my service at the airport, we were responsible for requesting airport extensions for weather or technical disruptions, which in the most were granted but it was clear that extensions to cover scheduled services was a definite no-go. It involved ATC, fire brigade, G4S border control and terminal staff being required to work extra hours to accommodate this late arrival.
The question I would like to ask Colin Le Ray is when and to whom did Aurigny request this schedule and if this was approved by airport authorities does this not open the door to other carriers who may request after hours operations?
In my service Flybe had the right idea, out at 8.30pm, back at 6.30am, no costing involved.
I look forward to some sensible answers.
Name and address withheld.
Editor's footnote: Airport director Colin Le Ray responds: Guernsey Airport has been in dialogue with Aurigny over its proposed summer schedule including these great opportunities for direct flights to Barcelona over four Saturdays in July and August.
The airport acknowledged from the outset that these later scheduled flights were setting a precedent and while we can (and often do) offer extensions to accommodate scheduled flights that are running late, this will be the first time the airport has agreed to remain open for a flight that is scheduled in advance to be operating later than the standard closing time of the airport, which is normally 9pm.
In planning for these flights, Guernsey Airport staff have been consulted and have agreed to accommodate these planned late movements as a one-off and in so doing we accept this is something of a test of the demand for direct flights.
Any permanent change to our opening hours would require more careful discussion with our staff and necessitate our considering wider issues than are faced by this proposal which only impacts on a late close for four nights in July and August. Of course, on those nights, we will be able to accommodate any other aircraft that may wish to operate after 9pm, as would be normal in any routine airport extension.
Guernsey Airport and Aurigny have reached agreement on the costs that will apply to the airline to enable them to return from Barcelona so that the jet is ready for its Gatwick duties the next day.
Aurigny has asked that we point out that these Barcelona flights are a summer treat for islanders wishing to fly to this great city. Aurigny does not consider flying back from Spain, literally in the middle of the night, would be attractive to its customers, especially those with young families.
