British Airways has agreed a five-year deal to serve Jersey from Heathrow, after almost 12 months of negotiations with Ports of Jersey, which represents maritime and aviation activity on the island.
The arrangement is expected to carry more than two million passengers to and from BA’s global Heathrow hub.
Since Jersey reopened to commercial traffic in July 2020, BA has operated to the island from Heathrow, providing direct onwards connectivity for islanders to 138 destinations.
Amanda Burns, chief executive at tourist board Visit Jersey, said the deal “shows confidence in Jersey as a destination and supports the recovery of our tourism economy”.
She added: “This valuable connection strengthens Jersey’s position as an easy island escape that’s only a short flight from the UK, but a world away.”
More: Exploring Jersey by e-bike
Jersey to remove travel restrictions from February 7
In 2019, the island welcomed 1.76 million passengers, the highest total since 1990 but Ports of Jersey said the pandemic has had a “devastating impact”.
Matt Thomas, chief executive of Ports of Jersey, commented: “Throughout the pandemic, we worked incredibly closely with our airline partners to secure the resilience of our air links.
“The recovery in our passenger numbers is tracking well ahead of airports across the UK, and we are confident that today’s announcement will bring a further boost.”
Senator Lyndon Farnham, Jersey’s tourism minister, added: “Air connectivity is critical to Jersey’s economic wellbeing and way of life, whether to support tourism, travel on holiday, business, visit friends and relatives in the UK or further afield, to access specialist medical care or university education.”
Colm Lacy, BA’s chief commercial officer, said: “British Airways and Ports of Jersey are investing in Jersey’s future. Over the last few years, the relationship between us has gone from strength to strength, and we now have an amazing opportunity to welcome as many people between Heathrow and Jersey as we can.”