Aurigny announced its intention last month to relaunch a relatively comprehensive schedule on 21 September, but has since said quarantine requirements remain “too much of a barrier” to travel.
However, some changes will be made this month, with a move to two daily services between Guernsey and Southampton, and the return of weekend services for the first time since early April.
Meanwhile the link between Guernsey and Alderney will remain and the airline is prepared to match the number of services with demand, in support of the current ‘staycation’ trend.
Pictured: More Guernsey people have decided to ‘staycation’ in Alderney this year due to the travel restrictions.
“The impact of covid-19 on our business over the past six months has been catastrophic,” said Chief Executive, Mark Darby. “Passenger numbers are significantly down with 250,000 fewer passengers being carried between 1 March and 31 August than in the same period as last year (excluding the Isle of Man).
“Since March, we have had to be agile – making frequent changes to our plans in response to the latest news and status of the self-isolation requirements – which has, for understandable reasons, been a continually moving target.
“Unfortunately, it’s just not commercially viable to run the more comprehensive schedule that we had planned until demand increases or the self-isolation requirement period is reduced, and both are inevitably interconnected.”
With uncertainty over travel remaining for the time being at least, Aurigny has introduced a new ‘Book with Confidence’ scheme, allowing customers to cancel their flights in exchange for a travel voucher, regardless of their reason for cancellation. It will apply to all existing bookings and further bookings made up until 31 March next year, for any travel date in 2020 or 2021.
Pictured: Anyone booking flights before 31 March 2021 can cancel and get a voucher back without having to state a reason.
“We are launching our ‘Book with Confidence’ scheme to make it easier for our customers to book air travel with us – but knowing that if they need to change their plans at short notice they can do so without penalty,” Mr Darby explained.
“Aurigny would like to thank loyal customers for their support during 2020. We cannot wait to be doing what we do best and flying a more comprehensive schedule providing much-needed connectivity to the Bailiwick of Guernsey.”