Aurigny is making longer term plans for offering flights on the inter-island route.
The States owned airline stepped in at short notice on Saturday to offer a ‘rescue service’ to help passengers travel between Guernsey and Jersey after Blue Islands went bust on Friday night.
Aurigny first ‘rescue flight’ between the islands operated on Saturday but its first official scheduled flight to Jersey for nearly a decade left Guernsey on Monday afternoon.
Philip Saunders, Chief Commercial Officer at Aurigny, said he welcomed customers aboard and reinforced the airline’s long-term commitment to serve this vital lifeline route for all Channel Islanders.
“We are delighted to be back on the Guernsey-Jersey route.
“Aurigny’s DNA is of the islands and for the islands. That’s why we responded to the call for support immediately. For some it’s a new route. For us, it’s in our roots.”
The initial schedule offers two daily services between Guernsey and Jersey every day, except on Fridays and Sundays, when Aurigny is currently operating a daily service.
Mr Saunders said that has been designed to keep people moving while future plans are worked on.
That might include applying for a licence to fly between Guernsey and Jersey on a regular, permanent basis, after the Committee for Economic Development announced the route will be a ‘life line’ one from January.
That means any airline wanting to fly between the islands will need a licence, awarded by Guernsey’s Transport Licensing Authority.
“We have taken a considered approach to ensure we have the right schedule with the right resilience,” said Mr Saunders. “In coming days, we shall announce additional services and our ambition is to quickly become the airline of choice on the route.”