Aurigny has reduced the number of flights it operates between Gatwick and Guernsey due to aircraft maintenance.

The airline will be cutting two of its daily services for the next five weeks.

The affected services are:

• Guernsey departures at 8:30 and 16:30
• Gatwick departures at 10:00 and 18:00

Flights will resume normal operations on 10 February 2012.

Flybe has extended its ‘free extras’ travel offer for another two weeks on its services between Guernsey and Jersey and London Gatwick Airport.

The ‘free extras’, which include free 20kg bag allowance, free advanced pre-assigned seating and no transaction fees, has proved popular and now the airline has extended the promotion to all online bookings made through to midnight on Friday 16 December 2011 for travel up to and including 31 March 2012.

Simon Lilley, Flybe’s Director of Marketing comments: “The uptake by our Channel Island passengers to the recently launched ‘Free Extras’ promotion has clearly shown they appreciate that Flybe is committed to championing the local communities it serves. This is why we have decided to extend our money-saving offer that is an additional bonus to passengers having the peace of mind that they are also flying with the most punctual airline flying between the Channel Islands and London Gatwick Airport.”

Flybe has launched a new Student Baggage Discount product allowing passengers possessing a valid student ID to carry two bags weighing up to 40 kg in total for the price of only one standard hold bag when travelling to and from Belfast, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Jersey.

Those students booking online will need to book only one standard bag during the booking process at the normal rate and then produce their valid Student ID when checking in at the airport Bag Drop with the second bag that will be accepted free of charge.

Mike Rutter, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer comments: “We recognise that students are facing escalating costs and also appreciate the additional travel costs incurred by those living ‘off’ the UK mainland and in Northern Ireland. As a result we are pleased to offer this ‘buy one, get one free’ offer under the premise that every little helps. We feel sure our buy one get one free Student Baggage deal is going to prove popular with those flying to and from these four key destinations.”

As hundreds of passengers have been stranded in Europe and the UK this week due to the severe weather conditions, Guernsey Airport is considering opening on Christmas Day in a bid to get them back home.

Simon MacPhail, Deputy Director, said he and his staff were ready to open if the airlines request it.

In a report by the Civil Aviation Authority, Guernsey Airport was ranked third in the World, out of 75 international airports and 220,000 flights surveyed, for its punctuality.

The report found that 9 out of 10 flights flying in and out of the airport were running on time.

Top of the survey was Luxembourg, Rotterdam was second and Guernsey third.

The same report also cited Madrid Airport as the worst airport for keeping to flight times.

Guernsey Airport’s hopes for a new airport remain a hot topic of discussion as improvements to the existing runway are in dispute, with a new runway in jeopardy.

An airport Deputy has stressed that the islands financial position will be at risk. The plans for a runway overhaul which extends the current safety areas of the landing strip is expected to cost around £81m.

Deputy Tony Spruce, a member of the Public Services Department, which has responsibility for the airport, said “The runway is 35 to 40-years-old and it’s falling apart. If we don’t sort it we won’t have a runway and we won’t have any business on this island.”

Air Southwest is increasing the number of flights between Plymouth and Guernsey to six a week from 28 March 2010..

Air Southwest Commercial Director Mike Coombes said: “With its spectacular coastline, stunning cliff top walks, low duty shopping, great food and no exchange rate to worry about, Guernsey really is a stunning great value destination.

“We’re increasing our flights from four to six in response to Guernsey’s growing popularity, giving Air Southwest customers even more choice whether travelling for business or pleasure.”

Chris Elliott, Director of Marketing and Tourism at VisitGuernsey said: “Air Southwest’s expansion of air services is great news for anyone planning a trip from Plymouth and with a flight time of just 40 minutes it’s never been easier to visit.”

Air Southwest is also increasing its flights between Plymouth and Jersey to seven days a week from March 28.

Flybe is offering a lifeline to expectant mums in the later stages of pregnancy.

Currently, women who are more than 34 weeks pregnant are not permitted to fly even with a medical certificate stating they are fit to fly. These rules can lead to some women having to travel and stay away from home to receive medical treatments that may not be available where they live.

After much investigation, Flybe has announced that, on specific routes only, it can accommodate women at any stage of pregnancy who need to attend mainland hospitals and who hold a signed medical certificate confirming that they are fit to fly.

Flybe’s approved routes are:

• Jersey to/from Southampton
• Guernsey to/from Southampton
• Jersey to/from London Gatwick
• Guernsey to/from London Gatwick
• Isle of Man to/from Liverpool.

Women who are between 28 and 34 weeks pregnant still require a medical certificate and can travel on any route.

Consultant and Honorary Senior Lecturer in Feto-Maternal Medicine at Southampton University Hospital, David Howe comments: “We are delighted that Flybe has been able to make this critical policy change. To the small number of women each year to which this is so important, this will make a huge difference at a time when they are already under considerable stress for other reasons and I am very grateful that Flybe has taken the time and trouble to consider and change this policy.”

Industrial action by fire fighters at Guernsey Airport has closed the airport to all flights except medical emergencies.

Flybe has cancelled all flights to and from the airport for today, 26 May 2009. Customers should contact Flybe to rebook.