Aurigny Air Services
Encyclopedia
Aurigny Air Services was founded by Sir Derrick Bailey
and started operations on 1 March 1968 after British United Airways
withdrew the Alderney
to Guernsey
route. It operated Britten-Norman Islander
aircraft originally, developing a highly efficient network linking the Channel Islands with each other and with France and the United Kingdom During the first year of operations the airline carried 45,000 passengers between Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney. In July 1971 Aurigny became the first commercial operator of the Britten-Norman Trislander
and the airline remains the world’s largest operator of the type. Use of this larger aircraft enabled the route structure to be developed to include the south coast of England and northern France. In 1977, Aurigny was the first airline in the world to ban smoking on all services.
In 1993 Aurigny wins a contract to carry mail between the Channel Islands
and the UK and in 1999 it began daily services to London Stansted Airport
operated by Saab 340
aircraft.
Ownership of the airline passed from Aurigny Aviation Holdings to Close Brothers Private Equity on 23 May 2000, but was wholly acquired by States of Guernsey on 15 May 2003, after British Airways
announced that it was to cease flying between London Gatwick and Guernsey (just two months before the Island Games
). It employs 300 staff in the Channel Islands, France as well as the United Kingdom. Aurigny also operates charter services, wet-leases aircraft to other operators and is a handling agent for various other airlines which fly into Guernsey including Air Berlin
and Air Southwest
.
In June 2006, a survey by market researchers islandopinion.com showed that Aurigny is the most popular airline flying out of Guernsey. On 21 June 2007, Aurigny got permission from its sole shareholder, the States of Guernsey, to raise a private loan to purchase two new ATR 72-500 aircraft which entered service in March 2009.
Aurigny celebrated 40 years in operation in 2008. It was voted 4th best short-haul airline in a poll published in the consumer magazine Which?
. In a survey of 30,000 Which? members, the publication looked at 71 airlines and asked readers to rate each carrier for check-in, cabin staff, cleanliness, food and entertainment.
In March 2009, Aurigny announced that it was to operate a Jersey and London Stansted route, whilst restarting the Guernsey and East Midlands sector. Daily flights commenced from 1 May 2009. The frequency of flights from Guernsey to London Gatwick was increased from 4 to 5 daily return flights that day. In August 2009, Aurigny announced that it would be operating winter flights to Grenoble
using its ATR 72-500 equipment. The flights ran from December 26, 2009 to mid-way through February 2010. This was repeated for the 2010 winter season.
A leaked letter in July 2010 showed that Blue Islands
was planning to buy Aurigny, and undergoing a due diligence process with Treasury and Resources department of the States of Guernsey. This sparked major debate throughout the islands, and a Facebook page in opposition of proposed buy-out gained 530 members. On 14 September, Treasury and Resources announced that the sale would not go ahead.
The airline also used to operate the DHC-6 Twin Otter (retired by mid-1980s), the Shorts 360
(retired 2006) and the Saab 340
(retired early 2000s), as well as leasing a BAe-146 (for summer 2003 charters) and Boeing 737-300s from Titan Airways
to stand in for unserviceable aircraft.
Derrick Bailey
Sir Derrick Thomas Louis Bailey, 3rd Baronet, DFC was the son of the South African entrepreneur Sir Abe Bailey and of the pioneer aviator Dame Mary Bailey, and won fame for himself as a decorated Second World War pilot, a cricketer and a businessman...
and started operations on 1 March 1968 after British United Airways
British United Airways
British United Airways was a private, independentindependent from government-owned corporations British airline formed as a result of the merger of Airwork Services and Hunting-Clan Air Transport in July 1960, making it the largest wholly private airline based in the United Kingdom at the time...
withdrew the Alderney
Alderney
Alderney is the most northerly of the Channel Islands. It is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, a British Crown dependency. It is long and wide. The area is , making it the third-largest island of the Channel Islands, and the second largest in the Bailiwick...
to Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
route. It operated Britten-Norman Islander
Britten-Norman Islander
The Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander is a 1960s British light utility aircraft, regional airliner and cargo aircraft designed and originally manufactured by Britten-Norman of the United Kingdom. The Islander is one of the best-selling commercial aircraft types produced in Europe. Although designed in...
aircraft originally, developing a highly efficient network linking the Channel Islands with each other and with France and the United Kingdom During the first year of operations the airline carried 45,000 passengers between Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney. In July 1971 Aurigny became the first commercial operator of the Britten-Norman Trislander
Britten-Norman Trislander
*LIAT*Montserrat Air Services*Air Queensland*Eagle Airways*Aero Services*Cayman Airways*TAVINA*Vision Air*Bali Int. Air Service*Trans Jamaican Airlines*Aero Cozumel*Great Barrier Airlines*Aero Taxi Intl*Aviones de Panama...
and the airline remains the world’s largest operator of the type. Use of this larger aircraft enabled the route structure to be developed to include the south coast of England and northern France. In 1977, Aurigny was the first airline in the world to ban smoking on all services.
In 1993 Aurigny wins a contract to carry mail between the Channel Islands
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
and the UK and in 1999 it began daily services to London Stansted Airport
London Stansted Airport
-Cargo:-Statistics:-Infrastructure:-Terminal and satellite buildings:Stansted is the newest passenger airport of all the main London airports. The terminal is an oblong glass building, and is separated in to three areas: Check-in concourse, arrivals and departures...
operated by Saab 340
Saab 340
The Saab 340 is a discontinued Swedish two-engine turboprop aircraft designed and initially produced by a partnership between Saab and Fairchild Aircraft in a 65:35 ratio...
aircraft.
Ownership of the airline passed from Aurigny Aviation Holdings to Close Brothers Private Equity on 23 May 2000, but was wholly acquired by States of Guernsey on 15 May 2003, after British Airways
British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
announced that it was to cease flying between London Gatwick and Guernsey (just two months before the Island Games
Island Games
The Island Games are an international multi-sports event organized by the International Island Games Association.- History :The Island Games began in 1985 as the Inter-Island Games, as part of the Isle of Man International Year of Sport, and were intended to be a one-off sporting celebration only...
). It employs 300 staff in the Channel Islands, France as well as the United Kingdom. Aurigny also operates charter services, wet-leases aircraft to other operators and is a handling agent for various other airlines which fly into Guernsey including Air Berlin
Air Berlin
Air Berlin PLC & Co. Luftverkehrs KG is Germany's second largest airline, after Lufthansa, and Europe's sixth largest airline in terms of passengers....
and Air Southwest
Air Southwest
Air Southwest was a British airline owned by Eastern Airways. It operated regional scheduled passenger services in the South West of England. Its main base was Plymouth City Airport, with hubs at Newquay Cornwall Airport and Bristol Airport...
.
In June 2006, a survey by market researchers islandopinion.com showed that Aurigny is the most popular airline flying out of Guernsey. On 21 June 2007, Aurigny got permission from its sole shareholder, the States of Guernsey, to raise a private loan to purchase two new ATR 72-500 aircraft which entered service in March 2009.
Aurigny celebrated 40 years in operation in 2008. It was voted 4th best short-haul airline in a poll published in the consumer magazine Which?
Which?
Which? is a product-testing and consumer campaigning charity with a magazine, website and various other services run by Which? Ltd ....
. In a survey of 30,000 Which? members, the publication looked at 71 airlines and asked readers to rate each carrier for check-in, cabin staff, cleanliness, food and entertainment.
In March 2009, Aurigny announced that it was to operate a Jersey and London Stansted route, whilst restarting the Guernsey and East Midlands sector. Daily flights commenced from 1 May 2009. The frequency of flights from Guernsey to London Gatwick was increased from 4 to 5 daily return flights that day. In August 2009, Aurigny announced that it would be operating winter flights to Grenoble
Grenoble
Grenoble is a city in southeastern France, at the foot of the French Alps where the river Drac joins the Isère. Located in the Rhône-Alpes region, Grenoble is the capital of the department of Isère...
using its ATR 72-500 equipment. The flights ran from December 26, 2009 to mid-way through February 2010. This was repeated for the 2010 winter season.
A leaked letter in July 2010 showed that Blue Islands
Blue Islands
Blue Islands Limited is an airline of the Channel Islands. Its head office is in Saint Peter Port, Guernsey, and its registered office is in Saint Anne, Alderney. It operates scheduled services from and within the Channel Islands and the UK and the Isle of Man...
was planning to buy Aurigny, and undergoing a due diligence process with Treasury and Resources department of the States of Guernsey. This sparked major debate throughout the islands, and a Facebook page in opposition of proposed buy-out gained 530 members. On 14 September, Treasury and Resources announced that the sale would not go ahead.
Current destinations
Aurigny Air Services serves the following destinations (at February 2010):- British Crown DependenciesCrown dependencyThe Crown Dependencies are British possessions of the Crown, as opposed to overseas territories of the United Kingdom. They comprise the Channel Island Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey in the English Channel, and the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea....
- AlderneyAlderneyAlderney is the most northerly of the Channel Islands. It is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, a British Crown dependency. It is long and wide. The area is , making it the third-largest island of the Channel Islands, and the second largest in the Bailiwick...
(Alderney AirportAlderney AirportAlderney Airport is the only airport on the island of Alderney. Built in 1935, Alderney Airport was the first airport in the Channel Islands. Located on the Blaye , it is the closest Channel Island airport to the south coast of England and the coast of France. Its facilities include a hangar, the...
) Base - GuernseyGuernseyGuernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
(Guernsey AirportGuernsey AirportGuernsey Airport is the largest airport in the Bailiwick of Guernsey and is the only airport on the island of Guernsey. It is located in the Forest, a parish in Guernsey, west southwest of St. Peter Port.-History:...
) Hub - JerseyJerseyJersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
(Jersey AirportJersey Airport-Busiest routes:Some airlines offer services between Jersey and other destinations with an intermediate stop at Guernsey. There are also periodic charter flights to European holiday destinations, Madeira and ski destinations operated by airlines such as Aurigny Air Services, Europe Airpost, Palmair...
) Base
- Alderney
- FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
- DinardDinardDinard is a commune in the Ille-et-Vilaine department in Brittany in north-western France.Dinard is on the Côte d'Émeraude of Brittany. Its beaches and mild climate make it a popular holiday destination, and this has resulted in the town having a variety of famous visitors and residents...
/Saint-MaloSaint-MaloSaint-Malo is a walled port city in Brittany in northwestern France on the English Channel. It is a sub-prefecture of the Ille-et-Vilaine.-Demographics:The population can increase to up to 200,000 in the summer tourist season...
(Pleurtuit AirportPleurtuit AirportDinard - Pleurtuit - Saint-Malo Airport or Aéroport de Dinard - Pleurtuit - Saint-Malo is an airport serving the city of Saint-Malo, France. It is located south-southwest of Dinard in Pleurtuit, a commune of the département of Ille-et-Vilaine....
) - Grenoble Airport (seasonal)
- Dinard
- United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
- BristolBristolBristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
(Bristol International AirportBristol International AirportBristol Airport , located at Lulsgate Bottom in North Somerset, is the commercial airport serving the city of Bristol, England and the surrounding area. At first it was named Bristol Lulsgate Airport and from March 1997 to March 2010 it was known as Bristol International Airport...
) - LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
- (Gatwick Airport)
- (London Stansted AirportLondon Stansted Airport-Cargo:-Statistics:-Infrastructure:-Terminal and satellite buildings:Stansted is the newest passenger airport of all the main London airports. The terminal is an oblong glass building, and is separated in to three areas: Check-in concourse, arrivals and departures...
)
- ManchesterManchesterManchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
(Manchester Airport) - NottinghamNottinghamNottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
(East Midlands Airport) - SouthamptonSouthamptonSouthampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
(Southampton AirportSouthampton AirportSouthampton Airport is the 20th largest airport in the UK, located north north-east of Southampton, in the Borough of Eastleigh within Hampshire, England....
)
- Bristol
Former destinations
The airline also previously served the following destinations:- FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
- Cherbourg (Cherbourg - Maupertus AirportCherbourg - Maupertus AirportCherbourg – Maupertus Airport or Aéroport de Cherbourg - Maupertus is an airport located 11 km east of Cherbourg-Octeville, between Maupertus-sur-Mer and Gonneville. These are all communes of the Manche département in the Basse-Normandie région of France...
) - CaenCaenCaen is a commune in northwestern France. It is the prefecture of the Calvados department and the capital of the Basse-Normandie region. It is located inland from the English Channel....
(Caen - Carpiquet AirportCaen - Carpiquet AirportCaen la Mer Airport or Aéroport de Caen la Mer is an airport located in Carpiquet and 6 km west of Caen, both communes of the Calvados département in the Basse-Normandie région of France....
) - Granville, MancheGranville, Manche-Sights:The old town preserves all the history of its military and religious past. The lower town was partly built on land reclaimed from the sea. The upper part of the old town is surrounded by ramparts from the fifteenth century...
(Granville - Mont Saint Michel Aerodrome)
- Cherbourg (Cherbourg - Maupertus Airport
- NetherlandsNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
- AmsterdamAmsterdamAmsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
(Amsterdam Schiphol AirportAmsterdam Schiphol AirportAmsterdam Airport Schiphol ) is the Netherlands' main international airport, located 20 minutes southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer. The airport's official English name, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, reflects the original Dutch word order...
)
- Amsterdam
- United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
- BrightonBrightonBrighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
(Shoreham AirportShoreham Airport- Sussex Police Air Operations Unit :The Sussex Police Air Operations Unit is headquartered at Shoreham Airport. The unit has been equipped since February 2000 with a MD Explorer, registered as "G-SUSX". The unit is headed by a Police Inspector, assisted by a Police Sergeant and two Police...
) - BournemouthBournemouthBournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
(Bournemouth AirportBournemouth AirportBournemouth Airport is an airport located north-northeast of Bournemouth, in southern England...
)
- Brighton
- Charter:
- GloucesterGloucesterGloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham....
(Gloucestershire AirportGloucestershire AirportGloucestershire Airport , formerly Staverton Airport, is located at Staverton, in the Borough of Tewkesbury within Gloucestershire, England. It lies west of Cheltenham, near the city of Gloucester and close to the M5 motorway. According to the sign at the airport's entrance it is Gloucestershire's...
) - RamsgateRamsgateRamsgate is a seaside town in the district of Thanet in east Kent, England. It was one of the great English seaside towns of the 19th century and is a member of the ancient confederation of Cinque Ports. It has a population of around 40,000. Ramsgate's main attraction is its coastline and its main...
(Manston Airport)
- Gloucester
Fleet
The Aurigny Air Services fleet includes the following aircraft (as of September 2011):| Aircraft | Total | Passengers |
|---|---|---|
| ATR 72-200 | 1 | 66 |
| ATR 72-500 | 2 | 72 |
| Britten-Norman Trislander Britten-Norman Trislander *LIAT*Montserrat Air Services*Air Queensland*Eagle Airways*Aero Services*Cayman Airways*TAVINA*Vision Air*Bali Int. Air Service*Trans Jamaican Airlines*Aero Cozumel*Great Barrier Airlines*Aero Taxi Intl*Aviones de Panama... |
7 | 16 |
The airline also used to operate the DHC-6 Twin Otter (retired by mid-1980s), the Shorts 360
Shorts 360
The Short 360 is a commuter aircraft built by Short Brothers. The Short 360 seats up to 36-39 passengers and was introduced into service in 1981. It is a larger version of the Short 330.-Development:...
(retired 2006) and the Saab 340
Saab 340
The Saab 340 is a discontinued Swedish two-engine turboprop aircraft designed and initially produced by a partnership between Saab and Fairchild Aircraft in a 65:35 ratio...
(retired early 2000s), as well as leasing a BAe-146 (for summer 2003 charters) and Boeing 737-300s from Titan Airways
Titan Airways
Titan Airways is a British charter airline based at London Stansted Airport, United Kingdom. It operates contract and ad-hoc passenger and freight charters throughout the world and short notice wet-lease charters for scheduled airlines...
to stand in for unserviceable aircraft.
Trislander replacement
Aurigny has been searching for a successor to the Trislander since the mid-1990s. It is likely that within the next 5 years, the Trislander fleet will be retired due to its increasing age (Aurigny aircraft vary from between 35 and nearly 40 years old, except for one aircraft which was assembled from kit form in 1997) and cost. Possible replacements include (in approximate order of size):- Tecnam P2012 Traveller
- Britten-Norman TrislanderBritten-Norman Trislander*LIAT*Montserrat Air Services*Air Queensland*Eagle Airways*Aero Services*Cayman Airways*TAVINA*Vision Air*Bali Int. Air Service*Trans Jamaican Airlines*Aero Cozumel*Great Barrier Airlines*Aero Taxi Intl*Aviones de Panama...
(new-build and improved) - GECI SK-105 Skylander
- Gippsland AeronauticsGippsland AeronauticsGippsland Aeronautics are an Australian aircraft manufacturer based at Latrobe Valley Airport in Morwell, Victoria. The company builds single-engined utility aircraft. These include the GA8 Airvan and the GA200 Fatman. The company is owned by Indian conglomerate Mahindra Group...
GA18 (a derivative of the GAF Nomad N24GAF NomadThe GAF Nomad is a twin-engine turboprop, high-winged, "short take off and landing" aircraft . It was designed and built by the Australian Government Aircraft Factories at Fishermens Bend, Melbourne. Major users of the design have included the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, the...
) - de Havilland Canada Twin Otter
- Dornier 228
- Let L-420 Turbolet
- Short SC.7 SkyvanShort SC.7 Skyvan-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft since 1919 . London: Putnam, 1974. ISBN 0-370-10014-X.-External links:****...
- Antonov An-28Antonov An-28|-See also:-External links:**...
/PZL M28 - CASA 212-300 Aviocar
- de Havilland Canada Dash 7De Havilland Canada Dash 7The de Havilland Canada DHC-7, popularly known as the Dash 7, is a turboprop-powered regional airliner with STOL capabilities. It first flew in 1975 and remained in production until 1988 when the parent company, de Havilland Canada, was purchased by Boeing and was later sold to Bombardier...