News: Flybe adds Guernsey-Heathrow route
Flybe will launch a once-daily link between Guernsey in the Channel Islands and London Heathrow at the start of the summer season. The carrier, which is currently in the midst of a takeover, will use a 78-seat Bombardier Q400 for the service, which will commence on March 31.
Flybe will add Guernsey to its portfolio of Heathrow routes at the end of March. (Heathrow Airport)
Schedule: effective March 31, 2019
14:40 Guernsey - Heathrow 15:45 17:30 Heathrow - Guernsey 1825
Guernsey news organisation Bailiwick Express reported that the island's Economic Development will subsidise the route with a £678,000 grant, while a £147,000 discount is being offered on landing fees at the airport. The assistance of £825,000 amounts to almost £25 per available seat over the seven months that the route will operate. It is unclear whether the service will continue next winter.
Editorial opinion: The arrival and departure times of the forthcoming Guernsey flights mirror Heathrow slots that were leased to defunct Cobalt Air by Virgin Atlantic during the summer of 2018. Following the Cypriot carrier's collapse the slots were returned to Virgin, which in turn is obliged to fill them to under 'use it or lose it' rules. As such the new route points to developing cooperation between Virgin and Flybe ahead of Connect Airways' expected acquisition of the struggling regional carrier, and its operation being refocused under the Virgin brand.
Text © The Aviation Oracle