More airline staff to help passengers and patients

Guernsey's States-owned airline Aurigny said it had increased its handling team at Southampton Airport in order to support passengers needing special assistance or travelling for hospital treatment.

Aurigny said there would be 18 people at the airport handling up to 70 flights a week between Guernsey and Alderney and Southampton.

It added its role in patient travel was expected to "almost double over the next year" after Blue Islands' services ceased in 2025.

It said in the last year there had been more than 1,500 travellers requiring special assistance to use flights from Southampton and more than three-quarters required assistance with mobility.

Dave Cox, head of ground operations and deputy chief operations officer, said: "With our dedication to this vital lifeline service, we recognise the need to have a team that can be flexible and deliver the highest level of customer service."

"Growing our team to cover all customer and ground service functions for Aurigny for the first time demonstrates our commitment to customers in southern England, Alderney and Guernsey."

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