Residents in Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man report low levels of satisfaction with off-island travel, according to new research by Island Global Research.
The survey, conducted between 7th January and 1st February 2026, asked residents about the cost, reliability and choice of destinations available by air and sea, as well as their confidence in whether travel links will meet future needs.
Across all three islands, fewer than half of respondents said they were satisfied or very satisfied with these aspects of travel.
The findings show variation between jurisdictions. In Guernsey, the highest levels of satisfaction were recorded for sea travel links, while in Jersey the most positive responses related to the reliability of air travel.
However, there were also clear areas of concern. In Jersey just 10% of respondents were satisfied with cost and 10% with reliability Satisfaction across all areas has declined compared with a previous survey carried out in 2019.
In Guernsey, the lowest levels of satisfaction were linked to the cost of air travel, with 11% satisfied. Compared with 2019, satisfaction has fallen for air travel reliability and choice of destinations, although perceptions of sea travel have improved across all measures.
In the Isle of Man, satisfaction was lowest for air travel reliability and choice of destinations, both at 17%. Satisfaction with the cost of both air and sea travel was also low at 18%. Compared with 2019, satisfaction has declined across most areas, with the exception of the cost of sea travel.
The survey also examined confidence in the future of off-island travel links. Residents were asked to rate, on a scale from 0 to 10, how confident they are that travel connections will meet the needs of residents, businesses, visitors and the security of vital lifelines over the next five years.
Across all three islands, fewer than half of respondents expressed a high level of confidence, defined as a score of seven or above.
Respondents in Guernsey were generally more positive than those in Jersey and the Isle of Man, although in all three locations most people rated their confidence at six or below across each category.
Around one third of respondents in Jersey and Guernsey said they had a high level of confidence that travel links would meet the needs of residents travelling for personal or business reasons. In the Isle of Man, this figure was lower at 20%.
In Guernsey, 38% of respondents expressed high confidence in the security of vital lifelines over the next five years. Confidence in other areas was lower, with 29% confident that the needs of importing and exporting businesses would be met, and 32% confident in meeting the needs of tourists and visitors.
In Jersey and the Isle of Man, around one in five respondents expressed high confidence across these areas, including the resilience of vital lifelines, support for trade, and meeting visitor demand.
Lindsay Jefferies, Managing Director of Island Global Research, said: “Our research shows that residents across the Crown Dependencies continue to have concerns about the reliability, cost, and long-term resilience of off island travel links. Guernsey’s sea travel performs comparatively well, but overall levels of satisfaction and confidence in future provision remain low. These findings highlight the need for ongoing investment, clear planning, and open communication to help ensure our islands stay well-connected and supported in the years ahead.”
