Flybe is currently asking the UK government to allow commercial flights to operate to and from RAF Northolt, which is about six miles from Heathrow Airport.
And if the company does get the go-ahead, then Jersey is on a list of possible destinations that could be linked with the base.
Currently Northolt is only used for RAF, business and government flights.
It is famed as the airfield to which Princess Diana’s body was repatriated following her death in a car crash in Paris in 1997.
In 2001 fugitive great train robber Ronnie Biggs was also flown to the base when he was seriously ill, to be arrested by waiting police officers. He had been on the run since 1965.
Flybe is proposing initially to run twice-daily services from the base to five UK destinations, with Jersey one of those being discussed. The company estimates that the proposal would benefit around 300,000 passengers a year across the UK.
Airline BMI previously offered flights from Jersey to Heathrow but the route was axed in 2009 and since then the Island has had no direct link.
Following a call from a Jersey pilot to reintroduce the link in 2012, Ports of Jersey chief executive Doug Bannister described the Heathrow link as a ‘gem’ that the Airport was always looking to develop.
Flybe says that the Northolt route would provide ‘immediate regional connectivity’ allowing passengers access to Heathrow.
The airline also plans to run a fast bus link from the base to the international airport for connecting passengers.
[figure caption=”Saad Hammad, chief executive of Flybe
Picture: Tim Bishop” title=”Saad Hammad Flybe CEO Designate (seated)” align=”right” url=”/wpmvc/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/tim-bishop.jpg” id=”1689875″ align=”right”]
Saad Hammad, chief executive of Flybe, said: ‘Northolt has, for too long, been the preserve of the elite with their private jets.
‘The government is in danger of turning its back on an opportunity that would benefit hundreds of thousands of people in giving immediate regional air connections to London and beyond through Heathrow’s long-haul network.
‘This proposal would raise £7 million additional revenue per year for the government at a time when it is making painful fiscal decisions.
‘Opening up Northolt would provide many of the domestic benefits of additional runway capacity now without any additional noise impact.’
Alan Donald, marketing and communications manager for the Ports of Jersey, welcomed the discussions being had by Flybe and said: ‘Ports of Jersey were not aware of the airline’s plans and have had no discussion with them on this matter.
‘However, it is encouraging to hear that the airline may consider Jersey as a potential destination from this airport and we await with interest the outcome of any decision.’
