08 October 2007
Jersey Airport has confirmed low-cost airline Thomsonfly is to reduce air services to the Island with effect from 28 October 2007.
The airline’s announcement comes in the wake of the recent merger between parent company Tui and First Choice Travel, which has resulted in a rationalisation of the company’s fleet, staff and routes.
Thomsonfly has confirmed with Jersey Airport it will progressively withdraw its direct services to Luton and Cardiff (from 28 October), followed by Doncaster (from March 2008). Coventry is planned to continue at this stage.
Jersey Airport is keen to emphasise that the airline’s decision is not as a result of poor demand on the Jersey routes but strategic decisions beyond their control. Official figures show that the airline’s traffic has grown from 84,000 in 2006 to 122,000 year-to-date with a 12% total market share.
Jersey is not the only airport to be affected by this decision as other regional airports such as those served direct from Jersey, which derive material income from the airline’s services, will also suffer a reduction or suspension in the number of flights.
One of the reasons for this reduction in services is the decision by Thomsonfly to ultimately change its current fleet of 737-300s to the -800s series, which will not be compatible with the length of Jersey’s runway.
Deputy Alan Maclean, Assistant Minister for Economic Development with responsibility for Jersey Airport, is disappointed with the decision by the airline but is optimistic that other airlines will be keen to take over the routes. He says, “Following the recent Routes Conference attended by members of the Airport Management Team a number of existing and potential airlines have expressed a keen interest in expanding or setting up new routes into Jersey. This is a direct result of our marketing strategy and we will now work closely with those interested parties to investigate the opportunities available to us”.
gov.je