Aurigny responds to recent delays, cancellations and criticism from passengers, saying 'this is part of the reality of a small island airline'.

Aurigny has issued a statement, following weeks of further delays and cancellations, often due to weather but sometimes down to a lack of aircraft and crew to run them.

It says it understands the value of the tourism industry to both Guernsey and Alderney, and the importance of providing connectivity for travellers.

Joe Mooney, a former deputy and member of the Guernsey Hospitality Association, disagrees:

"It is unbelievable when you hear visitors say they will never return. And then they also talk about the cost (of tickets). We have a complete shambles. And to make it worse, we have poor communication."

"It's not just about hospitality. Finance people are seriously making decisions. Some are moving, some are just not coming here, full stop." 

Similar concerns were expressed earlier this year by the tourism lead for the Economic Development Committee.

Aurigny is a small airline with a fleet that is Guernsey-based, and when the fog descends, it says this can have a disproportionately large knock on effect on its schedule, with crew and planes out of position.

It says some recent reliability issues have been outside its control, including bird strikes, a global squeeze on aircraft spares and few aircraft lease options.

Shareholder STSB requires Aurigny to protect its two lifeline routes, Gatwick and Southampton.  The airline says passenger volumes on both increased this summer, up by 1.4% and 4.6% respectively.

The popular Mediterranean destinations are likely to stay next year but Aurigny is hinting that it will drop both Newquay and Liverpool as they have not been successful.

A spokesperson for the airline said:

“We understand the importance of maintaining Guernsey and Alderney’s reputation for travellers and our tourism industry.

"Despite the challenges, we remain confident in our airline, its staff and Management and look forward to having a fully operational fleet in the coming months."

Aurigny's response comes as its senior management meet today (21 August), with counterparts from Guernsey Ports, and the States Trading Supervisory Board, which effectively owns both.

This is to find out the reasoning behind denying an Aurigny aircraft from Exeter permission to land in Guernsey late on Sunday, despite it being moments away from touchdown.

Read: Guernsey Airport closes as an Aurigny flight is moments away from landing

Social media and comment columns have been fiercely critical of Aurigny's recent performance and the head of STSB, deputy Peter Roffey acknowledges the incident looks bad:

"I am going to make sure the situation is never going to happen again. It is not one that has happened before and it never should have happened."

Deputy Roffey has told Island FM that Aurigny is hoping to take delivery of an additional leased aircraft in the last week of August:

"It is leaving them very fragile and exposed. My understanding is that they're scrambling to get a replacement leased aircraft in by next week.

It is not an acceptable situation. The Guernsey public and the Guernsey economy have had to put up with things this summer which it should never  have had to put up with."