Aurigny board 'must adapt strategy' to strengthen air connectivity

A senior Guernsey politician says Aurigny's board must adapt its business strategy.

Earlier this year, the States-funded airline announced losses of £7.6 million - £3 million higher than previously expected.

In an open letter in the Guernsey Press, Deputy Charles Parkinson, who is President of the Committee for Economic Development, has hit back at earlier suggestions published in the newspaper's opinion column that there was a 'policy vacuum' around air links.

He responded by saying that policy letters published by the government showed a "vision which informs a clear policy", which is being "implemented decisively".

Deputy Parkinson insists that the States has made significant progress in maintaining connections with Gatwick and securing links with Alderney and Heathrow.

Barbara Benfield has campaigned for Aurigny to review their flight offerings in Alderney. She says that work to secure a Public Service Obligation to the island is long overdue - but in the meantime, passengers are still suffering.

Aurigny Chairman Andrew Hainging says the company refutes the claims made by Deputy Parkinson in the letter.