|
 Sunday 24 June 2007 |
Aurigny launches a new reservations system with accompanying website and
e-ticketing facility. The system has been jointly developed with
 ![]() of Thailand. |
| Thursday 21 June 2007 |
| Aurigny gets permission from its sole shareholder, the States of Guernsey, to get a private loan to purchase two new ATR 72-500 aircraft. Managing director Malcolm Hart said the aircraft would be a great boost to the airlines long-term profitability, reliability and quality of passenger service. No taxpayers funds are to be used for this acquisition. |
| Sunday 5 June 2007 |
| The Aurigny Alderney Golf Open has another successful year with about 100 competitors from around the UK taking part. The airline has sponsored 11 of the previous 15 competitions. |
| Monday 25 April 2007 |
| Trislander pilot Ray Bowyer and several passengers spot two brilliant yellow, disc-shaped, unidentified flying objects measuring up to a mile across near Alderney. Another commercial pilot 15 nautical miles south also saw the objects and an official report was filed. The story hit the headlines of all the national newspapers and Capt. Bowyer was interviewed on CNN and Channel 4s Richard and Judy Show. |
| Monday 19 March 2007 |
| Aurigny experiences website problems |
| THE booking system on Aurignys website was down for nearly 40 hours between Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning. Passengers wishing to make online bookings were unable to do so. Were sorry for the inconvenience caused, said commercial director Malcolm Coupar. But thankfully the website is now fully operational so our customers can start booking with us again. The website was down between 325pm on Thursday and 639am on Saturday. The problem started because Barclays Business Services were unable to process credit card payments over the web and, as such, was completely out of our control. |
| Wednesday 21 February 2007 |
| Aurigny confirms that Bristol is safe |
AURIGNY managing director Malcolm Hart has confirmed that sufficient measures have been taken to ensure that we can continue to operate safely into Bristol Airport. Laurence Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury, raised concerns about the safety of the runway after an Easyjet aircraft delayed landing in wet weather conditions on Monday evening.
But managing director said that Aurigny is constantly monitoring the situation at Bristol Airport and he is satisfied that it is safe to continue operations there. As soon as we experienced problems at Bristol Airport in January, we reduced our crosswind limit to 15 knots from 25 knots when landing in wet conditions at Bristol International Airport. This has been done as a precaution and is in line with other airlines that operate out of Bristol.
The airport keeps us informed of conditions on the ground at all times so that we can take these into account when deciding whether to land. If there were high crosswinds and heavy rain then our pilots would follow standard safety procedures and either wait for the conditions to improve or divert. The decision lies ultimately with the pilot. Mr Hart added that resurfacing work is currently being done at Bristol Airport and the Civil Aviation Authority is monitoring the situation.
Ends
For more information contact Malcolm Hart Tel. 01481-266444. |
| Thursday 15 February 2007 |
| Aurigny affirms its policy on hand baggage |
AURIGNY commercial director Malcolm Coupar has confirmed that the airline will not be charging extra for hold baggage.
This policy of charging customers for reasonable amounts of hold baggage has proved to be pretty unpopular with passengers and we definitely wont be following suit, he said.
Passengers may take one piece of hold luggage to a maximum of 20kg on all routes, with the exception of 15kg on Alderney-Southampton. Excess baggage may be accepted, if space is available, on payment of appropriate fees, currently  1 per kilo. Additional Student concessions may apply.
Hand luggage is restricted to one piece per passenger - max dimensions 43cm x 30cm x 18cm (17" x 12" x 7") max weight 8kgs (Southampton/Alderney and inter-island Trislander services 6kgs).
Ends
For more information contact Malcolm Coupar Tel. 01481-266444. |
| Wednesday 31 January 2007 |
| Aurigny phones 8,000 passengers hit by Air Passenger Duty |
AURIGNY has been telephoning the 8,000 passengers who will have to pay Gordon Browns inconvenient and hasty rise in Air Passenger Duty.
All passengers who made bookings on Aurignys Gatwick, Stansted, Bristol and Manchester services before the Chancellor's untimely announcement have been affected. The airline has already described the sky-high taxes as rash and ill-thought out. Mr Browns decision put us and our passengers in an unnecessarily awkward and difficult position particularly as were not in a position to absorb the costs, said commercial director Malcolm Coupar. But given the pride we take in our service and the loyalty our customers have shown, the least we could do was contact them in person. About 8,000 passengers were affected. Aurigny had previously described the Chancellors controversial move as unpaid tax collection for Gordon Brown. Mr Coupar added that the UK governments plans had pushed the proportion of tax paid on a ticket to unprecedented levels.
Its just another tax that will make little difference to the environment given that the governments own advisers say that air travel accounts for only 3% of carbon emissions. If the government had thought this through they would have concentrated their efforts on tackling the real causes of climate change: road transport and power generation.
Ends
For more information contact Malcolm Hart Tel. 01481-266444. |
| Thursday 18 January 2006 |
| One Million Passengers Fly Between Alderney and Southampton |
AURIGNY has flown its one-millionth passenger between Alderney and Southampton. The Channel Island airline first started the link between Alderney and mainland UK in 1970 and the connection has proved a lifeline service throughout its 36-year history.
Aurignys longest-serving employee Maurice Wyatt, 54, joined Southampton Airport officials to meet the one-millionth passenger, Margaret Storer. Mr. Wyatt had coincidentally presented an award to another fortunate customer back in 1975 when the airline celebrated the millionth passenger to travel across Aurignys entire network.
Mrs. Storer and her husband David, both from Warwickshire, were given two free flights on the Alderney-Southampton route and a picnic hamper. They were delighted with the presents and said that the tickets were ideal as they are planning to move to Alderney. It was a wonderful greeting and one that came as a total surprise, said Mrs. Storer. The flights will definitely come in most handy as we love Alderney and are planning to move here later this year.
Aurigny managing director Malcolm Hart said the airline was justifiably proud of its ongoing commitment to the island. People in Alderney are not just dependent on the Southampton service for big city shopping and connections to other airports. They rely on them for business, specialist medical treatment, hospital visits and for students to go to and from college and university, he said.
He added that the link also meant that visitors have been able to take full advantage of Alderneys attractions.
Richard Cox, longtime Daily Telegraph travel writer and the Alderney States member responsible for tourism saw one million passengers over 36 years as a proud achievement for Aurigny. The little yellow planes have become a potent symbol of Alderney as a holiday destination for two generations, he said, adding that he first brought his children there for beach holidays in the mid 1970s, Now their friends' children come as regularly as they all did and my grandchildren soon will. Aurigny has also seen Southampton airport develop almost beyond imagining, from the old buildings and free parking in a muddy field to the present modern terminal. But the service provided by the airline has been unchangingly friendly and helpful not least on occasions when there has been atrocious weather at Christmas but the Trislanders made it. Nor is it any denigration of other airlines to say this, since they in their turn will record triumphs in times to come. But by anyone's standards the millionth passenger travelling on this route today is a noteworthy event. |
| Wednesday 23 November 2005 |
| Alderney Homecoming |
ALDERNEYS wartime evacuees will be enjoying a celebratory party for the 60th anniversary of their return home thanks to sponsorship from Aurigny.
The Channel Island airline has offered to pay for the food for more than 100 returnees who are marking the day that the first civilians set foot on Alderneys shores after the island was transformed into the Westernmost edge of Hitlers defences.
Sponsorship is also being provided by the States of Alderney.
The event is being organised by the Homecoming Committee and is taking place on Thursday 15 December.Alderney-born committee member Pat Forey, who was evacuated with her family to Glasgow, said she was delighted with Aurignys sponsorship.
This is an occasion that celebrates a key moment in Alderneys history, she said.
And it is particularly important for everyone in Alderney to honour Homecoming Day and the families who worked hard to rebuild the island after the turmoil of the Second World War.
The 60th anniversary party will be a fantastic evening of entertainment and its a great chance for people to get together and share their memories.Aurigny has shown real loyalty to the island in pledging its support.
Aurigny managing director Malcolm Hart said he was delighted to sponsor the Homecoming Committees efforts in celebrating Alderneys history.
This is an occasion that really means a lot to people in Alderney and its particularly important that we pay our respects to those people whose lives were disrupted by the ravages of war.Those who returned in and after 1945 made the island what it is today the products of which include the birth and growth of Aurigny.
For this reason, we are committed to the island and Im both proud and delighted to support the Homecoming celebrations. |
| Wednesday 23 November 2005 |
| Fuel Price Statement |
Malcolm Coupar, commercial director for Aurigny, said that the fuel surcharge would remain in place for now.
While the cost of oil has dropped lately, fuel prices still remain considerably higher than they were when we put together our budget.They are also well above the levels they were when we originally introduced a fuel surcharge back in the summer.
To compensate, this fuel surcharge will remain in place for the time being.We are continually monitoring the situation as its very much in our interests to give passengers the best deal we can.
He added that the most recent figures inLondon showed that Brent crude had risen $1.07 to $56.41 a figure much higher than was ever predicted by the aviation industry.
Its a move thats very much in line with steps by other airlines.Its regrettable but unavoidable. |
| 22nd August 2005 |
| Aurigny Staff Are Praised For Bad Weather Efforts |
EXTRA Aurigny staff members were called in to help ensure passengers reached their destinations when fog hit Guernsey on Monday.
Managing director Malcolm Hart regretted the inconvenience caused to customers but praised the efforts of his employees in making sure the airlines 1,150 passengers to and from the UK could fly.
The fog was so thick that visibility was down to less than 100 metres and the first flights back to the airport didnt arrive until lunchtime, he said.
Im nevertheless very proud of my staff for keeping Aurignys services going when others simply cancelled their flights.
The poor weather meant that flights for all carriers were grounded throughout Monday morning.Tim Lillington, senior met. officer at GuernseyAirport, described the conditions as pea-souper.
These are not unusual weather conditions for this time of year but when we do get them it does disrupt flights, he said. |
| 24th August 2005 |
| New Cabin Crew Members Take to the Skies |
AURIGNY passengers are being greeted by three new faces as the companys latest recruits to the ATR cabin crew take to the skies.
For Julia Brown, Lynsey Ibister and Claudia Teixeira, their successful completion of a four-week intensive training course marks a dream come true.
Ive always loved flying ever since I was small, its always really interested me, said Ms Teixeira, who used to work as a waitress.
Because Im Portuguese and English is not my mother tongue, the training was quite a challenge.But I really enjoyed the course and passing means I can now talk with Aurignys Portuguese passengers in their own language.
All three believe their new occupation gives them a much bigger sense of fulfilment that before.
I love it.I like meeting new people and, although its really hard work, I always enjoy it, said Ms Brown.
Theres a real sense of camaraderie.Previous jobs didnt give me that sense of teamwork with this you form strong bonds with your colleagues.
Ms Ibister was particularly impressed by the training, having come out of it with First Aid and hospitality skills as well as the ability to deal with emergencies.
Some people think youre just there to serve drinks but theres so much to this, she said.
The course was hard work and intensive but you come out of it with so much.
Aurigny managing director Malcolm Hart was delighted to bring the three women into the team.
Theyve all shown great personality and strength of character throughout the course.Im really pleased that theyre joining us, he said. |
| 4th August 2005 |
| Response to Island Fm inquiry about prices, taxes and charges |
AURIGNY has added a temporary  3 fuel surcharge on each flight between Guernsey and the UK following record highs in world oil prices.A temporary surcharge of 1 will also be applied each way on the airlines inter-island services.The move is in line with steps by other airlines that have done the same after world oil prices rose 55% during the first quarter of this year compared with same quarter in 2004.Flybe, for example, announced two months ago that it was adding a separate fuel surcharge.
Aurigny has also changed its pricing structure on its website to align itself with its competitors.Insurance charges have been taken out of fares and put under the Aurigny website heading of tax, fees and charges.The 32.30 charge on a round trip to Gatwick is now the same as Flybes.This change in how we present fares as well as tax, fees and charges has no affect on Aurignys overall ticket prices.
Malcolm Coupar, Aurigny Commercial Director |
| 14 June 2005 |
| AURIGNY RECORDS RISE IN PUNCTUALITY |
Guernseys own airline has recorded a fifteen percent rise in its punctuality figures, compared to last year.
Over 90 percent of all Aurigny flights departed within 15 minutes of their scheduled time of departure during May (see note 1), compared to 75 percent during the same month in 2004. Mr Malcolm Hart, the airlines Managing Director, welcomed the news: These two figures are significant, as they highlight the transformation that has taken place since last autumns root and branch review. Compared to a year ago, this is a leaner, more focused and altogether more effective airline and it shows.
Mr Hart highlighted the fact that improved punctuality had been achieved at the same time that airlines were learning to work within the new terminal: As Guernseys own airline, Aurigny has operated twice as many local flights over this bedding in period as both our competitors put together, which makes this achievement all the more pleasing.
Mr Hart said that good time keeping is a key issue in the Bailiwick: The islands ggeographical position makes our network more susceptible than most to weather disruption. Delays are frustrating for travellers, which is why we have made timekeeping one of our key issues. Weve put a lot of work into it this year and those efforts are now showing through in these punctuality figures, which speak for themselves. Were very pleased.
Mr Hart said that there was no one reason for the improvement in performance: You cant put this down to any single factor. A sustained improvement on this scale involves just about every department in the airline. Its both an individual and a team effort and every member of Aurigny and Anglo Normandy has a right to feel very proud.
Aurigny also announced its best ever set of timekeeping figures for London Gatwick earlier this year, with over 98 percent of flights arriving within 15 minutes of their scheduled time. |
| 17 June 2005 |
| VOTE FOR AURIGNY |
Guernseys own airline is inviting passengers to nominate outstanding cabin staff.
Aurigny passengers can now let the airline know when their cabin crew provides excellent service. Ms Clare Cooper, Aurignys Cabin Crew Manager, explained: Theres no doubt that the standard of cabin service is an important factor in passengers overall levels of satisfaction. Were always pushing hard to improve our service standards, so we decided to give cabin crew an extra incentive. She added: As cabin staff, we aim to make your flight as comfortable and enjoyable as possible so, for us, nothing is more rewarding than getting positive feedback from satisfied passengers.
Aurigny passengers can send in their nominations by post or e-mail. Managing Director Mr Malcolm Hart said that the airline is focusing on service: I think most islanders are aware that weve worked really hard to boost our punctuality figures over the past year. What were doing now is starting to extend those quality standards into our customer service. Giving cabin crew the opportunity to earn recognition from passengers is a great incentive and all part of an increased customer service awareness. He added: Were also currently working towards introducing a major new customer service training regime across other areas of the airline.
Passengers who feel that their cabin crew has provided particularly good service should send their nominations to Ms Clare Cooper, Flight Operations Centre, Airport Complex, Rue des Landes, Forest GY8 0DD or e-mail clarecooper@aurigny.com |
