Senator Lyndon Farnham told the States yesterday that the lifeline connectivity contract between the Government of Jersey and airline Blue Islands which ensured some flights continued during lockdown was likely to be ‘reactivated’ in the next two weeks.
The announcement comes as further travel routes in and out of Jersey have been slashed amid the ongoing pandemic and second lockdown in England. Flights to Southampton Airport have now been reduced to just one a day during the week and the airport is closed at weekends. Yesterday, for example, just one commercial flight was due to arrive in Jersey – the 3.40pm from Southampton. One flight was due to go out to Southampton earlier in the day and one British Airways flight to Heathrow.
Meanwhile, all fast-ferry services to the UK during November have been cancelled by Condor, although the company has pledged to help Islanders fulfil plans to travel around Christmas
The lifeline contract was initially signed in April, with the government paying Blue Islands £15,000 a week to ensure it continued to run three chartered return services each week to Southampton. A weekly return flight between Jersey and Gatwick was then added in May. The flights could only be used by people given pre-authorisation for travel as all but essential travel in and out of the Island was then banned. No such ban is currently in place, instead arrivals are subject to a Covid-19 testing regime and isolation requirements depending on where they have slept in the previous 14 days.
During States question time, Senator Farnham said Jersey’s travel connectivity was being monitored daily by a ‘travel cell’ group.
He added: ‘We have already approved use of Blue Islands to provide extra flights for returning students if required. We also have the security of the lifeline connectivity contract with Blue Islands if commercial connectivity reduced. The lifeline connectivity contract is likely to be reactivated within the next two weeks.’
Asked what his advice would be to students wanting to return to Jersey for Christmas, the minister said: ‘My advice to any Islander wishing to return is to try to secure their transport arrangements in advance but be mindful that there could be changes.’
He added: ‘We will do whatever we can to ensure our important lifeline links are maintained throughout the pandemic.’
Meanwhile, Health Minister Richard Renouf also pledged to find to out if the introduction of a second daily flight to Southampton was being considered so that patients needing to travel for medical appointments could make the journey in one day and therefore avoid isolation requirements when they return. Currently isolation requirements only apply if you spend the night somewhere.
Deputy Steve Luce, who asked the question, had told the Assembly he was also aware of doctors who could not travel to the Island because of the limitation on flights which had led to an increase in the number of Islanders needing to go to the UK for appointments.
The minister said: ‘Yes at first sight I could see the advantage of that [of a second daily flight] – that is something that could be discussed and may well be being discussed within the travel cell. I will make inquiries as to whether that is under consideration.’
