Economic Development is considering bringing in more airlines to serve the market as it says the current policy isn’t “enabling Guernsey’s air connectivity requirements”.

Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, President of Economic Development, hinted in an update to States members that the successes of having a major brand for sea links could be replicated for air links.

Investigations have already started into reestablishing a link with London Heathrow which are set to continue.

“Diversifying the number of airlines serving Guernsey was a priority of the previous Committee and continues this term,” she said.

Deputy Kazantseva-Miller said the contract with Brittany Ferries demonstrated how having a big brand with an established customer base and stronger marketing power can benefit the island.

This is the case with airlines serving Jersey, she added.

A new air route policy and licensing regime would be developed since the current arrangement – set up after the pandemic to support Aurigny post-pandemic – was now not serving as an economic enabler for the island, Deputy Kazantseva-Miller said.

Protecting Aurigny and lifeline routes while seeking more competition would be considered. 

Pictured: The Brittany Ferries contract has been widely hailed by government as a success.

Deputy Kazantseva-Miller noted the route to Paris launched last spring with a subsidy to Aurigny was growing in popularity among locals and visitors.

It builds on significant and widely reported growth in the French visitor market with traffic from St Malo up 59% in six months.

She revealed that passengers travelling on Manche-Ile-Express have also increased by 13% this year. 

Discussions with Jersey over improving inter-island ferry services are also continuing. 

“I hope to work jointly with Jersey on improved inter-island connectivity with DFDS next season and exploring proposals to support other inter-island providers in 2026,” she said.

“This is why a weekly rotation is a contractual obligation for Brittany Ferries. The Committee supported the launch of the Islands Unlimited passenger service, which has seen 24500 passenger movements since its launch on June 6.”