There are calls for an urgent solution to stop holidaymakers being left stranded at Guernsey airport with no means of onwards transport.

Islander Simone Roberts got first-hand experience of the problem when her delayed flight from Manchester arrived after 10pm on Sunday (21 August) along with another service from Exeter.

She took to twitter to vent her frustration at visitors being left in the dark outside a locked-up terminal building, unable to get a taxi to their accommodation.

@VisitGuernsey @GuernseyAirport @Govgg please explain what you’re currently doing to support the ongoing travel link shortages at the airport? It was an embarrassment to the island to see what visitors faced on arrival in #Guernsey last night @BBCGuernsey @GuernseyPress @islandfm

— Eva Simone (@Eva_Simone_) August 22, 2022

Simone told Island FM:

 "There were two plane-loads of people who were struggling to get to their onward destination, and about 15-20 who were remaining there after some taxis had been and collected - elderly, young families, people who had not been to Guernsey before and did not know where they were going.

We stood there and watched the airport close, which was quite concerning -  all the lights going off and staff going home.

We tried calling several taxi firms but they were fully-booked and couldn't get to us til gone midnight."

Eventually, one of the men waiting - a Guernsey resident - found an unlocked bike and offered to cycle home to collect his car and return to start taking people to their hotels.

 Photo: Simone Roberts.

"This was met with such relief that this kind person was willing to do this, but also such bewilderment among these visitors that there was no support there.  They had witnessed the airport close before their eyes and not one person had come to reassure them where to go or what to do."

Simone got dropped of at her home and returned to the airport in her own car to ferry more stranded passengers to their destination.

"One of the children was distraught, and so tired.  It was disappointing to see that's the welcome that our visitors get.

Why is there not a shuttle-bus in place when there is delayed flights and no public transport running at night?"

You cannot rely on good people going above and beyond to get exhausted passengers home, knowing full well travel links are in shortage at the moment. As well as looking after locals, if you want to grow GSY tourism, get the basics right. #GuernseyTogether

— Eva Simone (@Eva_Simone_) August 22, 2022

Economic Development Committee President Deputy Neil Inder, whose remit includes tourism, says Environment and Infrastructure need to work with the taxis, buses and private hire firms to come up with a plan when there are late-night delays:

" I don't think it is beyond the wit of man to work very closely with the STSB (States' Trading Supervisory Board), find out when there are challenges - and they are often fog-related or aircraft going tech - and for them to hire in coaches to at least get people into town.

Deputy Inder has also expressed dismay about the customer-care offered by Guernsey Airport:

"If the airport effectively closes itself and says 'you're on your own mate' that is not the kind of service we should be providing to our very important visitors and resident passengers.

It is up to STSB and E&I to think where the lines are....They have got a responsibility to ensure that passengers are cared for."  

He is worried about the damage to the island's reputation.

It's just shoddy, shoddy, shoddy, shoddy.  We are having a very good season and there are people who will leave Guernsey - when they should be having a great experience -  having had a miserable experience, and that is not good enough."

Island FM has contacted the States of Guernsey for further comment.