London Oxford Airport saw the start of this season’s first weekly charter to Jersey on Saturday with two seats short of a full 50-seat passenger complement.

For the first time onward connections to Guernsey are available, providing holiday-makers with the option of a twin-centre holiday.

Timetable:

Flights leave London Oxford Airport’s state-of-the-art oxfordjet business aviation terminal at 13:00 and arriving in Jersey a little over an hour later at 14:05. Return flights depart Jersey at 11:20 and arrive in Oxford at 12:25.

Flight connections from Jersey to Guernsey are an option for those wishing to further explore the Channel Islands.

Jersey flights from London Oxford Airport operate with seat only and inclusive holidays being sold exclusively by C.I. Travel Group.

Flights are being operated by CityJet (VLM) with a modern and comfortable 50-seater Fokker 50 and will run for an extended period through the high season until 11 September.

Flybe has announced it is increasing capacity and flights on a number of key routes from Gatwick and Southampton airports to assist BA passengers uncertain if their flights will be affected by the proposed strike action.

The airline has announced it will operate 262 flights across 10 routes to and from London Gatwick including seven a day to Jersey; four a day to Newcastle and three a day to Aberdeen and Dusseldorf during the strike.

To book Gatwick meet and greet and Gatwick taxi transfers click on the links.

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.”

Jersey airport is to conduct an emergency exercise tomorrow, Wednesday 13 January 2010, as part of the planned ‘Exercise Front’ which will involve emergency services and many State departments.

The airport will remain open and flights will operate as normal throughout the exercise. Signage will be displayed at the airport and announcements made on incoming flights to inform passengers of the emergency exercise.

Due to demand, Flybe is increasing capacity on its Jersey to Gatwick services over the Christmas and New Year period.

The airline has added an extra six flights and upgraded capacity for travel on 24, 26, 27 December and 2 January. Flights on these days will be operated by an Embraer 195 jet aircraft.

Channel Island passengers will also have the option of taking a direct flight to and from London Luton on a Q400 aircraft.

To book Gatwick meet and greet parking and Gatwick taxi transfers click on the links.

Jersey Airport is reassuring customers that there will be no changes to bmibaby services from the airport.

Last week bmibaby announced that it was restructuring its operations, however, the airline has confirmed to Jersey Airport that this will not affect Jersey flights for the foreseeable future.

The Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Senator Paul Routier, responded to the announcement by saying, “It is understandable in the current economic circumstances that bmibaby intends to restructure its operation. I am pleased to confirm however, that reassurances have been given to us that the airline’s services from Jersey in 2010 are unaffected by this decision. Jersey Airport will continue its long standing relationship with bmibaby and will work with them in ensuring the continuing success of these air routes from Jersey”.

bmibaby operates year-round services from Jersey to Cardiff, East Midlands and Manchester airport.

bmibaby is adding an extra flight to its winter schedule between Jersey and East Midlands Airport.

On 6 November the airline will begin operating a new Friday flight in addition to its winter scheduled services on Mondays and Thursdays.

To book East Midlands airport parking and East Midlands airport hotels click on the links.

The popularity of Air Berlin’s service between Jersey and Düsseldorf has prompted the airline to increase capacity.

From May 2010, the airline will replace the existing 76-seater Bombardier Q400 with a 144-seater Airbus A319.

Air Berlin’s Jersey to Düsseldorf flights will operate every Saturday from 1 May until 11 September 2010.

A major redevelopment of the airside departure lounge at Jersey Airport started on Monday.

The £4million investment will be carried out in stages and will see new passenger facilities, enhanced retail offerings, an enlarged Duty Free outlet and relocation and upgrading of the bar and restaurant facilities.

Some disruption and inconvenience is expected, however, passengers will still have access to all the airport’s current facilities. Work is expected to be completed by the end of July 2009.