With just 1% of those using Guernsey Airport’s car park going away for more than a weekend, bosses at Guernsey Ports are hoping a summer discount may encourage more people to use it while away for a week or longer.
The ‘Summer Getaway’ promotion will see anyone parking at the airport for six days or more getting a 20% discount on their car park fees.
Guernsey Ports said it’s aimed at making long-stay parking a “more appealing and affordable choice” for travellers.
“Long-stay parking historically represents around 1% of people using the car park (of which there were 112,000 last year), with the vast majority of customers using our car parks for shorter visits and weekend getaways,” a spokesperson said.
“This promotion is aiming to stimulate demand for longer stay parking and highlight the benefits, particularly for those who want to travel on their own schedule.
“We are trialling this promotion during the summer to support customers travelling during the school holidays, and also to support our airline partners with their seasonal direct flights, which operate based on weekly returns.”
The promotion launched earlier this month, and will run until 7 September, when children are back at school.
During this peak holiday time, travellers parking at the airport for seven days will pay £86.40 – down from the usual price of £108, saving themselves £21.60.
David Buddery, Commercial Development Project Manager for Guernsey Ports, said the promotion has been launched in support of the growing number of direct seasonal routes, many of which operate as weekly return flights.
“We are looking at ways to make long-stay parking a more appealing and affordable choice for travellers. This trial ties in with the many seasonal routes operating from Guernsey this summer. Direct flights provide convenient access to a range of destinations, often operating with weekly returns.
“The availability of on-site parking adds to that convenience and enables people to travel to and from the airport on their own schedule, without the need to arrange transport or rely upon others for lifts.”
Mr Buddery said the trial could be extended if it proves popular.
“Historically, long-stay parking represents a small percentage of the airport’s car park usage, which is to be expected in an island community.
“This is about giving travellers another option, so they can decide what works best for them. We will monitor the effect of these changes, which will help to inform future decisions regarding the airport’s parking provision.”
During the promotion, Aurigny is providing seasonal direct flights to destinations including Alicante and Bastia, with FlyDirect operating routes to Majorca and the Algarve.
Blue Islands are running thrice-weekly direct flights to Newcastle and Loganair is operating Saturday returns to Edinburgh.
Philip Smallwood, Chief Operations Officer at Aurigny, said: “As summer holiday travel peaks it is even easier to get away, our direct flights to sunny spots like Alicante and Bastia mean you can plan a holiday without the hassle. And now with discounted parking at Guernsey Airport, you can travel on your own schedule and relax knowing your car is waiting for you when you get back.”
Rebecca Larsson, Marketing & Development Manager for the C.I. Travel Group, which operates FlyDirect’s flight and holiday packages, said it will benefit their passengers too.
“There’s no smoother start or end to a holiday than driving yourself to the airport and having your own car there waiting for you on return. We’re delighted that FlyDirect clients travelling to Majorca and the Algarve in August will be able to take advantage of this fantastic offer.”
We know that Guernsey Airport made £822,000 in parking charges in 2022, because it was decided in 2023 to target a car park income of more than a £1 million instead.
Together these measures resulted in a 24% increase in money raised by the airport car park during 2024.