Guernsey
From the Guernsey Press - 16/9/06 Anyone think any of the airlines will be keen?
Dublin and Zurich air links planned
by James Falla
THE States is looking to develop new air routes with Dublin and Zurich.
But a planned link with Paris, which it was hoped would start next month, could be in jeopardy after a dispute over funding in Jersey.
Guernsey has agreed a subsidy package with Flybe for the Paris service. But the Jersey authorities, after originally agreeing the funding, have failed to confirm it, which is worrying the airline.
‘We don’t know what the problem is,’ said chief commercial officer Mike Rutter.
‘We are very worried about it. Because of the way French air slots work, we only have a limited period of time and then our opportunity for this route is lost for another two years.’
Mr Rutter praised the Guernsey States for its approach.
Commerce and Employment minister Stuart Falla said: ‘We had been hoping that Paris would start around now, but we are waiting for the Jersey response.’
Jersey authorities were in a meeting yesterday at which it was thought that the Paris route might have been on the agenda.
The link would be the first to secure new-style funding from Guernsey, including a start-up subsidy payment from taxpayers’ money and discounted airport fees for the first two years.
It is proposed that similar arrangements apply for Dublin and Zurich if there is interest when the States seeks operators next year. It thinks it would benefit investment from outside the island, visitor numbers and islanders. A joint States group, with involvement from Commerce and Employment and Public Services, has identified the three cities as targets for new routes for the island.
‘Our external relations group is trying to address the problems of getting here for a reasonable price,’ said Deputy Falla.
‘Route development will use taxpayers’ money to help reinforce these routes in their early days when it doesn’t have the volume to support.’
Deputy Falla said that the first step for the States would be to identify the financial support required by airlines interested in operating the routes. Money used in route support has been redirected from elsewhere in the budget of the former Tourist Board, which now forms part of the Commerce and Employment mandate.
Published 16/9/2006