Guernsey records highest levels of air travel since 2019

Guernsey Ports saw the highest levels of air travel in seven years, bosses have said.

They said July was the busiest month at the island's airport so far this year, with passengers numbers exceeding 75,000 for the first time since 2019.

Staff also said sea travel had also recorded a consecutive year-on-year increase.

Ports managing director Ross Coppolo said the figures showed the continued appeal of Guernsey as a destination and the importance of maintaining reliable connections for residents.

Ports said there was also growth across ferry services, with passenger numbers on Guernsey's northern and southern sea routes 3% higher than July 2025.

It said August 2026 was a "quieter" month compared to 2025, but ferry travel remained ahead of 2024, with the overall year-to-date passenger numbers 1% up on 2025, which was itself 14% higher than the year before.

Private aviation "increased significantly" during 2026, with aircraft movements about 30% higher than the same period in 2025.

It said Guernsey's marina's continued to perform with visiting vessel and passenger numbers close to the high levels achieved the year previous.

It said year-end totals for visiting leisure craft were expected to be close to those from 2025, when about 7,800 private vessels brought about 20,000 visitors to the island.

Coppolo said it was "very encouraging to see continued growth" across both the airport and harbours.

He said: "These figures reflect the efforts of our teams and partners to strengthen connectivity and improve the customer experience for residents and visitors alike and demonstrates the sustained demand for travel to and from the bailiwick.

"Our focus remains on providing safe, efficient and dependable services while working with our partners to ensure the bailiwick remains well connected."

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