All commercial travel, except for essential flights run by Blue Islands, has been suspended since early April due to the Covid-19 crisis.
There had been speculation on how many normal flight routes would resume post-Covid-19, as well as concern about how the current testing arrangements for essential flights would be extended.
Jonathan Crick, chief commercial officer for Ports of Jersey, has
confirmed that following conversations with the airlines, routes will start up again when the borders open and quarantine restrictions are relaxed.
In a recent press conference Chief Minister John Le Fondré said that he hoped travel to and from the Island would resume in early July. The question of testing was addressed by Deputy Medical Officer of Health Ivan Muscat at a briefing yesterday.
Dr Muscat said that up to 500 people a day can currently be tested in the Island, but that that would increase when the borders reopened.
‘Border activity will be managed separately, above the current capacity, so that there isn’t any impact on the ability to carry on testing essential workers,’ he said.
Mr Crick, meanwhile, added: ‘Since the temporary suspension of services, both BA and easyJet have maintained their wish to resume flying as soon as border controls are lifted, and passengers are no longer required to self-isolate for 14-days.’
He also explained that on a temporary basis flights to Gatwick would be re-routed to Heathrow.
He said: ‘On Wednesday 17 June, BA decided that some Jersey flights still planned for July 2020, in anticipation of a relaxation of border controls, will operate out of its Heathrow base for operational reasons, as it gradually builds up its operations from the London area.
‘This is only a temporary measure before the Gatwick service is resumed and any passengers who may be affected will be contacted directly by the airline.’
The update on airlines follows the news earlier this week that France may open borders to Islanders as early as next month if Jersey continues to
maintain low levels of Covid-19.
Manche-Iles Express, which operates ferries between Jersey and three Normandy ports, has announced its intention to restart operations from 2 July and Condor is hoping to launch a limited service next month.
And Condor Ferries has announced it has put in place a range of measures to ensure the safety of passengers and crew when high-speed sailings resume.
All passengers will be required to wear face coverings, with other measures to reduce risk such as self-service for food and beverage, floor distancing markers, protection screens, contactless payments and an enhanced hygiene procedure.
