PASSENGERS due to fly from Guernsey to Jersey had to sleep on air mattresses and in sleeping bags at Guernsey Airport on Saturday night after their flight was cancelled.
The Blue Islands inter-island flight was cancelled at 9.30pm on Saturday 7 September, due to thunderstorms over Jersey – but this was too late to find accommodation for nine of the flight’s 19 passengers.
Guernsey Airport had already extended its opening hours until 11.35pm.
Guernsey Civil Protection then brought air mattresses and sleeping bags to the airport, and passengers – who were described as “understandably upset” – were provided with water. An airport café was opened earlier than normal to allow them to have breakfast.
Guernsey Ports have thanked their team and Guernsey Civil Protection volunteers for their work, which included some Guernsey Ports staff members staying at the airport overnight.
Guernsey Ports chief operating officer Ross Coppolo said: “The passengers from the cancelled inter island flight to Jersey were understandably upset and some were unable to secure accommodation for the night at short notice.
“Our teams acted quickly to make sure these passengers were well looked after and had a safe place to rest overnight. A few members of our team had to stay at the airport overnight themselves, for safety reasons, and others did not return home until after midnight. I would like to personally thank them for their dedication and duty of care in challenging circumstances.
“We will be working with the operator to help ensure in future that appropriate customer care is provided to passengers in the event of any late cancellations of scheduled services.”
In a statement, a Blue Islands spokesperson said: “The inter-Island service on Saturday evening was disrupted due to severe thunderstorms over Jersey at around the time of the departure from Jersey to Guernsey.
“Hotels in Guernsey were full, our airport representatives explored other options with local authorities, however no alternative accommodation options were available. We thank Guernsey Airport for keeping the terminal open and providing provisions for passengers. Disruption is the last resort, however safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft is always our number one priority. While these circumstances were out of our control, we apologise for the inconvenience.”
