December 2024 Trade Update
With the announcement of lots of new routes over the last fortnight, this update is focused on the confirmed additions to our air and sea links for 2025.
12 December 2024
Blue Islands boost for Guernsey flights with four new routes
Blue Islands' today announced new flights between Guernsey and Newcastle, starting in May and running throughout the summer season, until early November 2025. Tickets are available now.
The choice of up to three weekly flights – on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – will offer greater convenience and competitive prices versus flying into other airports in the north of England, followed by challenging road or rail journeys to the north-east.
Flights from Newcastle to Guernsey will run non-stop on Tuesdays from 6 May to 28 October, and with a short stop at Jersey on Thursdays from 26 June to 11 September and Saturdays from 3 May to 1 November.
Flights from Guernsey to Newcastle will run non-stop on Tuesdays from 6 May to 28 October and on Thursdays with a short stop at Jersey from 26 June to 11 September.
This is in addition to three other routes announced last week, and means that Guernsey’s air connectivity will receive a substantial boost from March 2025. These new routes are as follows. Tickets are on sale now.
- Guernsey-Exeter, with up to six flights per week year-round (every day except Saturdays). On Thursdays and Sundays from 22 May – 28 September these will be direct; on other days, flights will have a short 30-minute stop in Jersey.
- Guernsey-East Midlands, operating three times per week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) from March 2025. Flights on other days of the week will be available during the spring and autumn, which will help to support the continued growth we’re seeing in the shoulder months. Flights will have a short stop in Jersey.
- Guernsey-Norwich will be running twice-weekly, on Saturdays from 10 May – 20 September and on Tuesdays from 27 May – 16 September. Both will have a short stop in Jersey.
Aurigny’s Exeter service restored for 2025
Aurigny and Guernsey Airport have worked together to restore the popular Exeter service for next year, with some tweaks in the airport’s schedule now allowing the flights to land slightly later when necessary.
Aurigny’s Exeter schedule will include three flights per week for the full summer season, operating on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays. This will support long weekends on the island, as well as providing week-long travel options.
This second Exeter route provides the 1.5 million people living in Devon and Cornwall easy access to visit the island and is expected to provide another boost to the local hospitality industry.
Loganair launches direct service between Edinburgh and Guernsey
After a six-year hiatus, Loganair’s direct route from Edinburgh to Guernsey has been reestablished. The flights will operate on Saturdays between 24 May and 13 September.
As well as providing more options and flexibility to those already travelling to the island for holidays, business or to see family and friends, the direct route will also open up the island to a new audience around Scotland’s capital.
More details can be found in their press release.
Manche Iles Express
Yesterday, Manche Iles Express announced that bookings for 2025 are now live.
Sailings will resume on 18 April from Diélette to Guernsey, and on 9 May from Jersey to Guernsey. Regular sailings will be offered until the end of September 2025.
The company reported excellent figures for 2024, transporting over 56,000 passengers compared to 53,000 in 2023.
Brittany Ferries’ 2025 ferries available to book
The Brittany Ferries' routes, operated by Condor Ferries, will sail between the UK, France and Guernsey and are available to book now at www.condorferries.co.uk. The schedule runs from 28 March, with sailings linking Poole, Portsmouth, Guernsey and St Malo.
The Condor Voyager will operate St Malo-Guernsey-Poole-Guernsey-St Malo three times a week in off-peak months, and up to daily in high season. The operating pattern will see the Condor Islander run freight and passengers six days per week to and from Portsmouth, year-round.
The schedule offers excellent connectivity for visitors between Guernsey and the UK and France in the peak and mid-peak periods. The island’s French visitors will be particularly well served thanks to the early morning St Malo departure and late afternoon departure from Guernsey, which will support day trippers as well as staying visitors. Read the press release here.
Initially, the schedule also includes a weekly day trip service to Jersey (on Wednesdays). DFDS’s 2025 schedule is expected in the next two weeks, with discussions ongoing with both operators to support inter-island travel.
Inter-island travel
As well as the ferry services, there are many other operators providing services between the islands (many with the flexibility to book outward or return journeys), adding resilience to the islands’ connectivity.
These include:
- Out the Blue: operating day trips to Jersey, every Saturday from 24 May – 6 September 2025.
- Manche Iles Express: operating day trips from May – September 2025. 23 inter-island trips have been confirmed for 2025 so far.
- Iris Freight (CI) Ltd: operating once a day, seven days a week.
- Islands Unlimited: two sailings announced so far, in May 2025.
- Blue Islands: multiple daily flights.
Help us spread the word
We’ll be sharing more information in due course about how we plan to maximise 2025’s new and existing routes, showcasing Guernsey’s connectivity to new and returning visitors.
You can help support your business and boost your bookings by sharing route and travel information with your regular customers in your email newsletters and by promoting them on your social channels.
As always, we are on hand to help and support in any way we can. Please get in touch!
With thanks, the VisitGuernsey team.
