The Jersey Transport Authority has incensed Jersey European Airways after rejecting its application to launch Southampton-Jersey flights in favour of British Regional Airlines.
JEA’s general manager for the Channel Islands Ian Taylor said the announcement by the Jersey Transport Authority showed the body had no desire to support the airline.
Taylor said:”This rejection of our licence application, the fourth we have made for this route since 1996, actively discourages any attempts to develop our services from the island and questions the role and interests of the JTA.”
He said the airline was still committed to Jersey and was considering an appeal against the JTA decision, although the carrier was especially upset by the JTA’s explanation for awarding the licence to the British Airways franchise carrier.
The JTA said it chose British Regional Airlines because it is ‘an airline with a history of serving island communities and from which island residents can be expected to benefit.’ Taylor said this ignores JEA’s standing in the Channel Islands and questions support for the carrier from the regulatory authority.
JTA chief executive Bevan Anthony rejected Taylor’s comments.
He said: “The JTA has nothing against JEA. The hearing was on a level playing field, but both airlines said only one major airline could sustain the route.”
Anthony said British Regional Airline’s pledge to offer 50,000 seats at a £64 return fare and the introduction of a £24 one-way fare on one of the daily services were deciding factors. He was also swayed by the opportunities offered by the carrier’s Southampton hub.
British Regional Airline’s head of sales and marketing Steve Boyd also pledged 7,000 new customers due to passengers redeeming Air Miles on British Regional Airline’s Jersey flights. The age limit for children is also to be raised to 15 from 12 years to allow more to enjoy a 33% discount on fares.
British Regional Airlines will take over the route with five daily flights next March when KLMUK drops the service. The carrier will hire KLM UK cabin crew and pilots for the service.