Aurigny warns Guernsey passengers there may be flight disruption until August.

Wednesday, 15 May 2024 08:10

Aurigny is understood to be seeking alternative operators to lease spare aircraft from as it enters the busy summer period.

Passengers have had flights cancelled, re routed or delayed over the past few weeks following an equally disruptive early spring and there may be more to come.

At the core of this is a reduced fleet combined with a summer schedule that sees the airline flying to more UK airports, coupled with a regular Paris service and flights to other European destinations.

At times the airline simply does not have enough aircraft to operate this timetable.

It says unforeseen technical issues have kept one of its ATRs on the ground and spares are difficult to get quickly.

In addition, its only jet, the E195, is due a major and expensive engine overhaul and maintenance check and so will soon be out of service, pending its sale.

Aurigny has leased in aircraft to cover the gaps but has had problems. One operator could only supply an aircraft for a limited period. Another operator's plane landed in Guernsey but overshot the runway three weeks ago, and remains out of service.

Aurigny stresses that under an agreement, known as a wet lease, it's not paying for this, but nevertheless it impacts on aircraft availability.

The airline is understood to be searching further afield for aircraft to lease but is warning passengers it doesn't expect to be at full strength until early August.

This is when it anticipates its three ATRs will be back in service, coupled with two further ATRs to cover the gap left by the jet.

It is apologising to customers who have experienced flight disruption and assures people that it is doing all it can to get the situation under control.