Jersey and Newquay to Heathrow

British Airways has returned to Jersey, the Channel Island a beneficiary in a strange way from the pandemic.

The previous service, to Gatwick, was never popular although competition with easyJet ensured competitive fares.

The big problem was flight connections with up to three hours being required to guarantee making a Heathrow flight, and luggage to contend with.  The fly in the ointment is that it may only be a temporary measure with BA suggesting that a return to Gatwick is a possibility.  Initially daily the service, which commenced last week, is flown by a two-class Airbus A319. A second flight will be added on 16 July.

The Jersey service is one of several domestic anomalies from BA, previously dropping the Heathrow – Leeds Bradford service.  It will introduce a three times a week Cornwall Airport Newquay (NQY) – Heathrow flight on 18 July upping to seven for the August peak holiday period.  It is a subsidised (PSO) route and was a competitive tender.

Pete Downes, the new MD at NQY said: “The London route forms the cornerstone of our recovery strategy at Cornwall Airport Newquay. In securing a British Airways service to Heathrow, I’m confident we have the fantastic airline partner and London gateway that Cornwall deserves”.

Flybe flew four times daily to Heathrow.  A local hotelier said that BA must up the frequency and be consistent with the timing. “It’s a business route through the winter”.

www.ba.com

www.jerseyairport.com

www.cornwallairportnewquay.com

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David Starkie, London

Surprised Cornwall qualifies for PSO status. Governments criteria takes into account alternative travel to the region concerned (not the airport) and from LHR (road)/Paddington (train) journey times only about 3.30 hours.