Guernsey Airline Chaos: Businessman Demands Action Amid Flight Disruptions

A prominent Guernsey businessman has called for urgent action following a string of cancellations and delays affecting Aurigny, the island's state-owned airline, since Thursday.

Mort Mirghavameddin, Chief Relationship Officer at financial group Rulewise, expressed "profound frustration" over the recent disruptions, which he believes have seriously harmed both the island's business and tourism sectors. He questioned Aurigny's "capacity to maintain essential routes" and argued that the situation requires immediate attention.

Responding to the concerns, Deputy Peter Roffey acknowledged the disruption's impact and confirmed he is working closely with Aurigny to address the issues. He described the airline's performance as "inadequate" and falling short of the standards expected by the people of Guernsey.

"It has affected all of us and our families, and it needs to be rectified as soon as possible," said Deputy Roffey. He stressed that Aurigny must ensure it has the resources to deliver the routes and schedules it advertises.

Deputy Roffey suggested that Aurigny should consider increasing its fleet of reliable aircraft and revising its schedule if it is unable to maintain its current commitments.

An Aurigny spokesperson countered that the airline prioritises lifeline routes and that claims to the contrary are "unfounded". They attributed the recent disruptions to a combination of factors including adverse weather, maintenance issues, bird strikes, and crew sickness. The spokesperson argued that such incidents "would have occurred regardless of management."

Aurigny acknowledged the impact of diversions on subsequent days' operations, stating that "both crew and aircraft need to be repositioned to Guernsey before it commences the next day's programme." They also acknowledged the need for improved communication and assured customers that they are working on enhancing their customer service.

Despite the challenges, Aurigny expressed confidence in its staff, management, and its commitment to full fleet operational capability in the coming months.

This latest round of disruption has highlighted the ongoing pressure on Aurigny to provide reliable air travel for Guernsey, a vital link to the island's economy and connectivity with the wider world. The calls for action from business leaders and the government suggest that the situation is unlikely to be resolved without significant changes to Aurigny's operations.