REPORTED fears over the scarcity of jet fuel and problems at passport control appear not to have dampened Islanders’ appetite for travelling – particularly when it comes to booking direct flights to the sun.
Recently, there have been several national and international stories about airlines cancelling flights, cutting schedules and applying surcharges to counter rising fuel prices caused by unrest in the Middle East.
Carriers including Lufthansa, SAS and KLM have announced that they plan to operate fewer flights while EasyJet, BA and Jet2 have said that they will not change their schedules.
EasyJet, Jet2 and TUI have also made ‘no surcharge pledges’ while BA has warned that ticket prices might have to rise on its scheduled services.
Locally, holiday and flight provider FlyDirect said it was receiving calls daily from people concerned about rising prices, whether their holiday was safe, and if there were problems going through border controls.
The Airport-based company is flying to Malaga, Palma, Faro and Ibiza from Jersey this summer.
However, managing director Robert Mackenzie told the JEP that bookings were surprisingly strong.
He said: “I was worried that the combination of stories in the media about fuel shortage and surcharges, coupled with the border issues, was going to start putting a dampener on demand but over the last five or six weeks, sales have been as strong as they were in the same period last year.
“I have obviously been pleased but also quite surprised by that.”
He added: “However, we still get regular calls asking if there will be an increase in price or will there be enough fuel for our plans to fly this summer or will I get my money back if it is cancelled, because they have read media reports.
“And the answer for us – because we run charter flights and have a fixed contract with our operator, British Airways CityFlyer – is that the flight will operate, we will not be applying any surcharge, and our clients’ money is bonded so protected; we can offer that guarantee.”
Mr Mackenzie said that, when it came to border controls – which have featured in the news since the European Entry-Exit System was introduced, and Electronic Travel Authorisations were brought in for non-visa, non-British or Irish nationals – FlyDirect were working with its partner airline to make the process easier for customers.
“We are yet to hear of any major issues with the four airports we are flying to and from this summer, but we have agreed with BA CityFlyer that they will open their check-ins when people are returning to Jersey by an extra 30 minutes to two-and-a-half hours before departure,” he said.
“That will allow more time for the processing part at the airport so people can then relax and wait for their flight.”
Mr Mackenzie said that passengers would not have to worry about missing their flight if stuck in a queue because, being a charter, the plane would not leave without them.
He said: “Of course, new border controls and the war in the Middle East have been disruptive and some people are understandably cautious but Islanders can be confident that the industry is doing all it can to make sure they have a relaxing holiday this summer.”
