Guernsey

[kcockayne]

Originally Posted by AirportPlanner1

It’s pie in the sky, but there is an opportunity there. If they overnighted in GCI, which is something they do, they could have a decent market providing a cheaper option to GR to London. Plus potentially stimulate some additional traffic. And they do some connections.

This is where the contradiction kicks in. The States of Guernsey own AUR in order to protect the Gatwick slots. That is why Gatwick is not included in “Open Skies”. The States bail out AUR to the tune of £5m every year. They are not going to stand aside & watch as another airline takes a bite out of AUR’s income from its only profitable route - Gatwick. Even if the airline doing the biting is operating from a different London airport.
The bottom line is that there is NOT the demand in Guernsey, because of the island’s small population, to sustain an alternative operation to London by competing with AUR’s Gatwick service. IF a viable alternative service is operated, it will kill AUR’s Gatwick service - & the slots will be lost. But, before that happens, “Open Skies” will quickly go out of the window !

[ajdm]

I see a weekly EDI flight for S19 has appeared on the Loganair website. Looks like a EMB135.

[Jerbourg]

Great news, Looks like they had a good 2018 with the GLA service then.
After all these years this will be GCI's first scheduled Emb 135/145 service, although BA Express did operate 1/2 odd flights many years back.

[Jerbourg]

Is anything known as yet re summer 19 flights/operators from mainland Europe?

[cobopete]

Summer Sat flights

As far as I can see summer Saturday flights will include-

Time. From Airline. Remarks
1120. EDI. Loganair. New for 19
1210. BOU. Loganair New for 19
1420. LPL. FlyBe/BI. New for 19, also on Tues
1510. Southend. FlyBe/BI New for 19, daily
1645 GLA. Loganair
1755. JER/Zurich. FlyBe/BI Flies JER-GCI-ZUR-JER-GCi
1810. Düsseldorf. Eurowings
TBD. Düsseldorf FlyBe. Not yet confirmed
TBD. Cardiff. FlyBe Not yet confirmed

Sunday’s

1210 Norwich. Aurgny
TBD. Rotterdam Blue Islands. 22 ApriL to 15 Sept timing TBC
TBD. Groningen Blue Islands. 28 April to 23 June - new this year, timing TBC

[Jerbourg]

Thanks CoboPete

[KindaUnstuck]

Looking at the Sunair website who traditionally underwrite (I hope that is the right word) the cost of the Dutch charters it looks like both Rotterdam (starts 21 April) and Gronigen (starts 28 April) will operate on Sundays this year

[cobopete]

Thanks Kinda
Pete

[jensdad]

The Visit Guernsey facebook page is reporting that flybe are starting a Heathrow service starting March 31st

[Cazza_fly]

Flybe New Direct Heathrow Link

This new route will operate the following service between 31 March - 26 October

Depart Guernsey 1440 - Arrive Heathrow 1545
Depart Heathrow 1720 - Arrive Guernsey 1825

Operated by 78-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft, seats are available for booking now on the Flybe website.

https://www.visitguernsey.com/magazine/flybe-announces-daily-heathrow-guernsey-airlink/

[toscana24]

Re GCI/LHR/GCI - a good development (if Flybe actually still exist then etc) but the timing is a problem. Arrival time at LHR for an evening connection is excellent but the return leg is hopeless for a morning arrival at LHR and crucially arrives too late in Guernsey for a connection to Alderney, Herm or Sark (NB the Visit Guernsey crowd are there to promote tourism to all the Balliwick not just the Guernsey Island). It would have been better to "hijack" an ABZ aircraft in the middle of the day and do GCI and back.

[virginblue]

Not bad. Six new routes for 2019, if I am not mistaken:

Blue Islands to NQY, SEN, LPL, Loganair to GLA and BOH, Flybe to LHR.

[cobopete]

Not forgetting BI to Groningen!
Pete

[kcockayne]

Let’s see how many of them last beyond one season. The Heathrow service is a coup for Guernsey & will have a good few people in Jersey very envious. But, as has been said, the timings are not good for connecting with EGLL arrivals & departures ; & are certainly useless for business travelers. Then there is the effect that the route will have on the Guernsey - Gatwick services. I can’t imagine that it will have EZY champing at the bit to open a service on this route (assuming that a possible runway extension at Guernsey would turn their head).

[jijpc]

A coup? The service is being subsidised to the tune of £825,000 according to Guernsey Press. Quite an incentive for Flybe.

[kcockayne]

Originally Posted by jijpc

A coup? The service is being subsidised to the tune of £825,000 according to Guernsey Press. Quite an incentive for Flybe.

Yes, but in terms of inter island politics, pride & bragging rites Guernsey now has a Heathrow service - & Jersey hasn't. Also, Guernsey has been able to get a slot at Heathrow - which isn't easy. So, somewhat of a coup, wouldn't you say ? Overall, you have to realise that it is summer only, once a day - at a time that is not convenient for anyone who might be tempted to use the service either for connections or business travel; & there is a very large contradiction between Guernsey States subsidising their wholly owned carrier (Aurigny) & a major competitor (Flybe). One has to ask whether they are fully aware of what they will achieve by this move. Nevertheless, I wish them well & hope that both the Heathrow & Gatwick services will be successful.

[bmaviscount]

Guernsey is getting lots of new routes this year, SEN NQY and now LHR. I hope they are all sustainable !

Shame LHR is not twice daily

Still miss LCY!

Still remeber Air UK using its F50 and Bae146 on the LHR route

[SWBKCB]

Originally Posted by jijpc

A coup? The service is being subsidised to the tune of £825,000 according to Guernsey Press.

Are my maths crap or is that nearly £30 per seat?

[aurigny72]

Originally Posted by bmaviscount

Guernsey is getting lots of new routes this year, SEN NQY and now LHR. I hope they are all sustainable !

Shame LHR is not twice daily

Still miss LCY!

Still remeber Air UK using its F50 and Bae146 on the LHR route

Dont forget also LPL, EDI and BOH. With flights now to 4 different London airports makes one wonder if they will all be sustainable, bit surprised that the new SEN route will operate daily but hope it works well as its such a quick and easy small airport to get through, unlike Stansted which is now so busy plus that awful shopping mall to get through after security.

[Jerbourg]

A friend watching the pax board the first Flybe LHR flight on the airport webcam says the total load looked to be about 25/30, if he's right it's not the best start.
(If I'm wrong please correct me).