TWO applications from Loganair to run lifeline routes to and from Guernsey – including inter-island flights – were provisionally rejected by a panel of Guernsey politicians as competition on them would “lead to it being unviable for all operators”.
Guernsey’s Transport Licensing Authority issues air transport licences for designated essential routes to and from Guernsey, which includes Gatwick, Alderney and Southampton – with Jersey to become an essential route from 15 January.
Aurigny, which is wholly owned by the States of Guernsey, were approved to operate a passenger and cargo service between Jersey and Guernsey. However, Loganair, which took over many of the routes previously operated by the now defunct Blue Islands, withdrew from the process after its two applications were provisionally rejected.
The Scottish airline had applied to run inter-island services between Guernsey and Jersey as well as flights between Guernsey and Southampton.
Deputy John Gollop, president of Guernsey’s Transport Licensing Authority, said: “The Transport Licensing Authority had made a preliminary decision to reject applications from LoganAir to fly between Guernsey and Jersey and Guernsey and Southampton. Both applications had been carefully considered in line with the requirements of the Air Transport Licensing Law.
“In reaching this decision, the authority considered a wide array of submitted information and representations received as part of a public consultation process. This included representations from the Committee for Economic Development and the Policy & Resources Committee, both of which hold relevant policy-making mandates.
“As required by law, the authority gave Loganair a period of 14 days in which to respond to its proposed decision. However, Loganair has subsequently withdrawn its applications.
“The Air Transport Licensing Law and the Air Policy Statement set out the factors to be considered by the authority when making a decision to either grant or to reject a licence application. On this occasion, evidence suggested strong competition on these routes would likely lead to it being unviable for all operators in the longer term.”
Loganair confirmed on Friday afternoon that its applications had been rejected, with the firm’s chief executive Luke Farajallah stating that they would remain “open for dialogue” with Guernsey’s politicians.
Deputy Garry Collins, vice-president of the Transport Licensing Authority, said: “When working toward a decision, the authority is required to consider the best interests of users of the service and, ultimately, the best interests of the island over both the short- and long-term. This was of course a difficult decision, but I hope the community can be reassured it was considered carefully.
“I would also personally like to thank all our officers for their outstanding hard work on these two applications. We as an Authority have had many meetings over this busy few months, hundreds of hours have gone into this process, and they should be thanked for their first-class support.”
