18/6/14

PRESS RELEASE

BEST SHORT HAUL AIRLINE PROTECTS ROUTES WITH E195

Aurigny, the Best Short-Haul Airline as voted by Which? readers, is taking delivery of its first jet to protect vital lifeline routes between Guernsey and London Gatwick.

With the loss of a significant share of the available seats on the Guernsey to London Gatwick route following Flybe’s withdrawal from Gatwick, Aurigny was requested by the international finance centre’s government to look at how it could replace the lost capacity.

Guernsey, which is just a 35-minute flight from London, has been a key player among global finance centres for many years. Its continuing development would have been thrown into doubt if the capacity could not be replaced on this vital link to the City.

The answer was for Aurigny to purchase a jet aircraft with the largest ever number of seats to operate on the route, a 122-seat Embraer E195, which arrives in the island at the beginning of July.

‘This is a big step forward for the airline and for the island,’ says Mark Darby, Aurigny’s Chief Executive. ‘For an island community of around 65,000 people to have its own E195 as well as a fleet of ATRs speaks volumes for the importance of Aurigny maintaining our business links with London and how far we are prepared to go to protect them.

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‘It is a significant investment for us but it is extremely important for the prosperity of the island that both our business and tourism sectors have sufficient capacity and frequency on this route.

‘The aircraft was built in Brazil,’ continues Mark, ‘but the bright yellow tail has nothing to do with their national team in the World Cup, as it has been the airline’s livery colour for over 45 years. Aside from its colour, iconic puffin emblem, and Guernsey flags, the aircraft will be easily identifiable on the ground and in the air as its registration will be G-NSEY and “Aurigny” will be painted in large letters on the aircraft’s underside.’

The new jet will operate daily on the following flights: London Gatwick Departures at 0830, 1150, 1600,1930 and Guernsey departures at 0700, 1020, 1430, 1800.

Notes for Editors: Technical details for the Embraer 190-200 (E195)

Number in Aurigny fleet: 1 Built: Brazil Passengers carried: 122 Range: 2,500 miles Engines: CF34-10E5A1 20000lbs thrust Maximum ceiling: 41000ft Maximum take off weight: 48790kg Max Operating Speed: Mach 0.82 TAS 456kts IAS 320kts depending on altitude/ weight

History of Aurigny

Aurigny was founded by Sir Derrick Bailey in 1968 making it one of the oldest airlines in the world and is solely owned by the government of Guernsey. It provides a service 2

Tel: 01481 266465 Fax: 01481 268040

between Guernsey and Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney and to important UK hubs such as London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, East Midlands, Bristol, and Southampton. Aurigny also offers a service from Guernsey to Dinard.

Aurigny became the first commercial operator of the Britten-Norman Trislander in July 1971 and still operates these aircraft today although it is planned that Dornier aircraft will replace them later this year.

To protect the vital lifeline route the airline was acquired by the States of Guernsey (Guernsey’s government) in 2003, after British Airways announced that it was to cease flying between London Gatwick and Guernsey.

On 21 June 2007, Aurigny obtained permission from 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.

In December 2013 Aurigny was voted the Best Short Haul Airline in an annual reader’s survey carried out by Which? magazine the influential consumer publication. The airline achieved an impressive customer score of 87% and held off the challenge from 21 larger and more famous carriers such as Swiss, British Airways, Easyjet, Flybe and Ryanair to be awarded this prestigious accolade. The airline also achieved four stars for its boarding process, legroom and seat comfort, punctuality of flight as well as aircraft cleanliness and temperature.

After Flybe announced its withdrawal from the route by March 2014, Aurigny ordered the Embraer 195 to serve its Gatwick route. The aircraft will enter service in July 2014.

For more information contact Jim Delbridge or Mel Rees on 01481 750490.

Email [email protected] or [email protected]

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Tel: 01481 266465 Fax: 01481 268040