THE Island ‘remains in a strong position’ to welcome tourists this summer despite ongoing travel problems, according to Visit Jersey.
The organisation said it was ‘confident’ that Ports of Jersey, as well as airlines and tour operators, were working to ‘minimise disruption’ after travel issues in the UK – coupled with thunderstorms over the Channel Islands on Saturday evening – resulted in a series of delays and cancellations throughout the bank holiday weekend.
Robert Mackenzie, the managing director of CI Travel Group, told the JEP this week there were concerns that the issue – driven by a shortage of staff within airlines, airports and other companies such as ground handlers – could persist into the summer holidays.
Commenting on whether this might affect the Island’s tourism season, a Visit Jersey spokesperson said yesterday: ‘Visit Jersey is aware of the ongoing travel issues in the UK, but confident that Ports of Jersey, together with airline partners and tour operators, are working to minimise disruption and provide visitors with assistance during this busy time.
‘With over 20 points of departure from the UK and Ireland, no passports required from the UK, and more sunshine than anywhere else in the British Isles, Jersey remains in a strong position to welcome visitors this summer.’
Around 17,500 people were due to travel in and out of Jersey Airport between Thursday and Sunday last week, with flights from Luton, Liverpool, Manchester and London among those affected during the weekend.
Primary school teacher Shannon Makin said her easyJet flight from Glasgow to Jersey on Sunday was delayed multiple times before ultimately being cancelled. After contending with new bookings – and another cancellation – she managed to return to the Island on Tuesday.
‘The queues were horrific and there was no easyJet customer assistance around,’ she said.
‘It’s definitely something I’m going to be mindful of [in summer] and it detracts from the excitement of a holiday,’ she added.
An easyJet spokesperson said on Tuesday that they expected to see more cancellations ‘in the coming days’.
‘EasyJet is operating over 1,600 flights today carrying a quarter of a million customers.
‘Unfortunately, due to the ongoing challenging operating environment around 60 flights to and from the UK today have been cancelled, many ahead of customers arriving at the airport,’ the spokesperson said.
‘We are very sorry and fully understand the disruption this will have caused for our customers.
‘We are providing options to rebook or receive a refund, as well as hotel accommodation and meals where required, along with information on how to arrange this quickly online or via the app.’
