GUERNSEY
 

Jets to return to Guernsey

Flybe is planning to bring jets back to Guernsey.

Flybe Europe managing director Mike Rutter said the company was keen to start flying its Embraer 175's to the island.

Initially the aircraft will be used on the Gatwick route, if that was successful it would investiage using the aircraft on other routes like Southampton.

Jets have not been used since the BAe 146 was retired due to concerns over the strength of the runway.

Work to strengthen the runway is progressing well and expected to be complete by the end of March.

Courtesy: Guernsey Press

Just a quick question for the Summer schedule, what charter and summer only flights is Guernsey expecting, Air Berlin i assume are returning will Cityjet be returning with their RTM charter too? Also any other new routes in the pipeline?

No, end of an era there, I'm afraid. Flights transfer to Amsterdam with the new Blue Islands service. Connection via Jersey. I mentioned it in the Jersey thread a few weeks back.

In terms of Air Berlin - Stuttgart (new), Dusseldorf, Hannover and Frankfurt.

Other than that, Blue Islands to Glasgow and a once weekly flight to Norwich with Flybe. Can't think of anything else (unless you count non-stop services to Exeter and Birmingham on a Saturday!).

Geo73: I read that the Guernsey runway is being extended at the western end, does this mean an actual increase in the declared/available distances, or was it necessary for the new "runway end safety areas" rules, which might have reduced the existing distances?

Regards

EGCA

Guernsey Airport rebuild
 

The declared distance will remain at 4800ft but is being shifted to west to acommodate RESAs - as you suggest. The dip at the western end has been filled in and all aprons and taxiways wil be reconstructed. Project is just at its half-way point, currently running 5 weeks late due to weather/rain - but this is expected to be made up - completion next spring.

Good article describing work in today's Guernsey Evening Press.

Thanks for that. Presumably 4800 ft is adequate for the proposed jet ops with the Embraer 175.

EGCA

Jets to Gatwick
 

FlyBE propose to re-introduce jets (the 175) to Gatwick in March. Other routes maybe later.

Embraer 175 starts operating from 31st March.

Goodbye Flybe LGw
 

After years of being the unfavoured choice from the isle but with things looking up after launching their new Jet service; Flybe are upping sticks from LGW. What will follow? Will the island be worse off?

Apparently Aurigny were looking at taking some of the slack, either through increased frequency's or larger aircraft, would think the fares may jump a bit though!

I would have thought either a code share with BA or a twice daily BA jet would go down a dream

High frequency is a pretty key requirement for GCI's London services; this simply wouldn't be good enough.

Aurigny considering a Jet operation into LGW. Would we perhaps see Blue Islands also introduce a LCY service? Would allow some form of competition on the Guernsey-London market, a multiple daily service in an ATR42/72 must be feasible now, the finance industry have been begging for one!

On another forum, there is talk about GR taking over three BE E195 that are coming off the leases and are surplus to BE's requirements as a result of the LGW withdrawal.

Questions:

- is GCI E195-capable TORA and PCN-wise as far as shortish cross-channel hops to London are concerned?

- how many ATR72s frames are required for the current LGW operation? Certainly not three, so I am wondering why three E195 are targeted (if true).

Ref your second question 1 1/2 However they may be looking to increase rotations if they can secure further slots so that may absorb the second frame fully. Also this could be an opportunity for Aurigny to look at boosting capacity on other routes or even consider taking on a weakened Flybe.

Well, at the moment the capacity to LON is roughly 6+1 x 70 by GR and 5 x 80 by BE = 890 seats daily. 6+1 flights on an E195 would mean 826 seats daily. Not sure about the current loads of BE and GR, but I guess 826 seats a day instead of 890 would do as it would guarantee improved load factors for GR.

Declared distances are not a problem on flight to London or UK/near Europe, the 195 will do it fine. Currently the PCN of 22 will limit the range and payload quite badly, but I understand the PCN will be 36 when the runway works are completed, which is sufficient for just about all the traffic GCI is likely to get.

The runway works are due to be completed in the next 6 weeks.

What a mess
 

Flew through GCI last week and have to say the not so old airport is a real mess with all the apron being carved up. Can't believe they went to all the trouble of lifting the west of the runway without extending it at the same time.

There has been noise about Easyjet visiting Guernsey airport - presumably with a view to possibly opening a route or two in the future.

Is an A319 able to both land and depart credibly with close to 156 passengers on a route to southern England or would severe payload restrictions be required ?

Furthermore, would Easyjet A319s be in Guernsey's best interests as this would likely mean relatively low frequency flights, while squeezing out Aurigny / Flybe on the basis of lower unit cost per passenger ?