Busiest weekend of the year so far for the Airport

Jersey Airport (35900781)

SUMMER looks to have finally arrived, with the Island set for both the highest temperatures of 2023 to date, and the busiest weekend of the year at Jersey Airport.

As temperatures are forecast to pass the 20°C mark for the first time since October, more than 21,000 passengers are expected to pass through the Airport between today and Monday – although some British Airways passengers have had to adjust their plans.

After Thursday evening’s BA service from Heathrow was cancelled, leading to the early morning return flight from Jersey being axed yesterday, there will be a further BA flight in each direction cancelled tomorrow, next Thursday and Sunday 4 June.

BA said the cancellations of some short-haul services had been caused by ‘the knock-on effect of a technical issue’ experienced on Thursday, adding that it had apologised to affected customers and offered alternative flights with BA or another airline, or a refund.

For ferry passengers, there may be disruption to services early next week.

A Condor Ferries’ spokesperson said yesterday: ‘The forecast for Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 May indicates inclement weather conditions in the Channel Islands’ area. As a result, there is a potential risk for disruption to conventional and high speed services.

‘We are notifying passengers of the possible changes or cancellations to services and continue to monitor the situation.’

The busiest period for the Airport will be this afternoon, with 20 flights due to depart between 12.15pm and 4.40pm, and passengers have been advised to allow extra time for journeys to the Airport.

Ports of Jersey said the previous busiest weekend of 2023 had been Easter, with 18,324 passengers passing through the Airport across the four-day period – 2,766 fewer than the number forecast for this weekend.

Data from aviation analytics company Cirium, highlighted in the national media, said yesterday would be the busiest for UK airports since 20 December 2019, with 3,000 flights due to depart. Across the long weekend, Cirium stated there would be 11,350 flights, equating to two million seats.

Islanders who are staying at home for the bank holiday weekend, as well as visitors, are set to enjoy some fine weather, with temperatures due to reach 21°C today and tomorrow.

Forecaster Jodie Stock said: ‘The weekend should be dry, with no risk of rain, it’s just a question of how much cloud we see – there’ll be some higher cloud, more so on Sunday, which will make the sunshine a bit hazy. We will keep the current north-east wind, and it will be strengthening late on Sunday and across Monday, with the sea state looking “rather rough to rough” on Monday.’

The warmest days of 2023 so far saw maximum readings of 19.7°C on 2 May and 19.6°C on Thursday.

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –