PRESSURE is growing for the government to close what a consumer rights watchdog described as a “glaring gap” in protection for Channel Islands air travellers.
Reform Jersey Deputy Tom Coles said that extending current UK and EU legislation, which protects travellers on inbound flights from airports in these jurisdictions, “might cause different issues” and instead suggested a scheme specific to Jersey, and Scrutiny politicians are now seeking islanders’ views on the concept.
It follows calls from Jersey Consumer Council chair Carl Walker to strengthen safeguards for passengers in the wake of delays and cancellations to flight operated by Blue Islands.
Outbound flights operated by Channel Islands-based carriers are not covered by laws EU261 or UK261 – leading to a disparity Mr Walker described as “unacceptable”.
“Islanders deserve the same rights and protections as everyone else,” he said.
The government said last week that any Jersey scheme would need to be carefully considered “to understand the impact that it would have on route viability and ticket pricing”.
Deputy Coles said: “I believe there needs to be improvements in the obligations of companies to get passengers back to Jersey, however, simply extending the compensation scheme might cause different issues. A Channel Island version of the scheme should be considered.”
Deputy Coles said Jersey was at much greater risk of weather-related delays, with limited airlines and routes. He raised concerns that “if airlines start to think that flying to Jersey is too much of a risk, we might see fewer options to and from the Island”.
Fellow Reform Jersey politician Deputy Montfort Tadier, who chairs the Economic and International Affairs Panel, said his panel would be looking into the issue and were interested to hear the views of consumers at scrutiny@gov.je.
Deputy Tadier told the JEP he was seeking to understand what the policy was regarding which airlines were subsidised and which were not and how those decisions were made, to ensure there was a “level playing field”.
The government gave Blue Islands an £8.5 million loan during the pandemic which came under scrutiny n the States last week. Treasury Minister Elaine Millar said she was committed to “ensuring” the loan was paid back in full, following questions from States Members.
A spokesperson for Blue Islands previously said: “Blue Islands always complies with all relevant regulatory requirements, including EU261 and provision of hotel accommodation where appropriate for flights departing from airports in Europe and the UK, details of which are in the terms and conditions.”
A survey launched by Jersey Consumer Council into flight disruption has amassed around 100 responses from passengers so far.
Blue Islands was contacted for comment.
Consumer survey
Any Blue Islands passengers who have experienced flight disruption when flying to the UK or Guernsey are asked to complete the Consumer Council’s survey on consumercouncil.je
