1.6 million air passengers a 17-year record

1.6 million air passengers a 17-year record

The number represents an increase of 25,253 compared to 2016 and a rise of 83,000 in contrast to 2015.

Figures at the Airport have not been at the same level since 2000 when 1,635,584 people passed through.

However, there was a 13 per cent drop in the number of people flying between Jersey and Guernsey, with 13,000 fewer passengers compared to 2016. In contrast, services to and from Scotland experienced an increase in passengers of 23 per cent.

Myra Shacklady, key account and marketing director for Ports of Jersey, said that the Island had a fantastic range of air routes in comparison to its size.

She said: ‘For the past four years our air passenger numbers have been steadily growing and it is a great boost for the Island to start the new year on a positive note. In fact, since 2013 we have increased air passenger numbers by over 186,000.

‘For an island the size of Jersey with its resident population of 100,000 we believe we have an enviable network of air services available to us and as always, Ports of Jersey will continue to explore new opportunities while maintaining the excellent relationships we already have with our existing carriers.’

Easyjet, which from this spring will operate eight routes from the Island, currently holds 37 per cent of the market share, having carried 600,000 people in 2016. British Airways was second with 23 per cent, Flybe was third with 22 per cent and Blue Islands was fourth with 15 per cent.

Sea passenger figures are yet to be compiled. However, a Ports of Jersey spokesman said he anticipated that they would be down compared to 2016.

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