Aurigny is launching two new permanent direct air services from Guernsey to Birmingham and Exeter following the collapse of Flybe.
However, the airline will be temporarily streamlining Gatwick flights because of a drop off in sales due to coronavirus.
Mark Darby, CEO said: ‘We have seen fall in demand for our Gatwick service as well as an increase in ‘no shows,’ as customers respond to travel concerns worldwide in the wake of the coronavirus.’
‘By cancelling some of our morning and evening ATR rotations we can operate our Embraer jet to full capacity and mitigate any losses in revenue and avoid flying aircraft half full. In addition, it means that we maintain spare crew capacity in the event that the virus reaches our shores and our own staff are unwell.’
Flights will be reduced from next week until the 18 April 2020. Customers booked on the flights affected will be contacted by Aurigny’s customer services team and offered an alternative flight.
Maintaining connectivity to Birmingham and Exeter
The first new service to Birmingham will operate on Wednesday 11 March. There will be one daily direct return service in the late morning, initially excluding Tuesday and Thursday.
The new Exeter service begins on Thursday 12 March and will be one daily direct return service, initially excluding Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.
‘We believe that maintaining Guernsey’s connectivity is key and with the collapse of Flybe it is an unmissable opportunity for Aurigny to provide a valuable customer service while at the same time increasing our operation and improving our financial position,’ said Mr Darby.
‘Given that we are able to do this with no increase in fixed costs and with aircraft, crew and a user-friendly booking system immediately available to us we hope that this will alleviate some travel concerns that islanders may have at this time.’
