THE Guernsey Transport Licensing Authority’s decision to turn down a bid from Loganair to operate inter-island flights has been labelled a “lost opportunity” by Jersey’s Assistant Economic Development Minister.
Deputy Moz Scott’s comments come after two applications from the Scottish carrier – for services between Guernsey and Jersey as well as Guernsey and Southampton – failed to secure approval from the TLA.
An application to operate an inter-island passenger and cargo service put forward by Aurigny, which is wholly owned by the States of Guernsey, was approved.
TLA president Deputy John Gollop has stated that both of Loganair’s applications were “carefully considered in line with the requirements of the Air Transport Licensing Law” but that “on this occasion, evidence suggested strong competition on these routes would likely lead to it being unviable for all operators in the longer term”.
The JEP has approached Guernsey’s Competition Regulatory Authority, which declined to comment.
Reacting to the TLA’s decision, Deputy Scott said: “I’m not surprised – I am disappointed because I think there is a lost opportunity for both islands.”
But the Assistant Minister noted that “Loganair have said the door is open to Guernsey’s government for future discussions”.
And Chamber of Commerce president Lee Madden told the JEP that the organisation had spoken to both Loganair and Aurigny, adding that: “I think in the future there could be some codesharing.
“We could look at how both airlines can work together for the benefit of both our islands and how we can have more of a partnership approach to the Channel Islands.”
