Jersey government may support 'crucial' Heathrow link with funds

A Jersey minister says an all-year British Airways link to London is essential to the island's economy and the government will consider using public money to make sure it is maintained.

Minister for External Relations Ian Gorst told a States scrutiny panel it was "absolutely critical to our economic future".

He said good transport links were essential for the island to remain competitive for businesses.

Senator Gorst told the Economic Development and International Affairs Panel: "I believe it is so critical that if Ports of Jersey need financial support to deliver and maintain those, then I'm prepared and I think it is the right use of the competitiveness fund to support that."

Speaking to the panel on Wednesday he said evening flights operated by British Airways to the UK from Jersey were "also critical".

Jersey's financial services competitiveness programme includes "further investment in connectivity with London as a growth enabler".

In its 2026 programme report, the government said: "Connectivity with London is vital for growth, and so we will invest in an improved flight schedule for business travellers."

Gorst told the panel airline transport "is even more difficult", with EasyJet cutting some routes after fuel price increases after the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.

In 2024 British Airways said it would be providing 19 weekly flights between Jersey and London Gatwick, alongside 21 to London Heathrow as part of a five-year agreement between British Airways and the Ports of Jersey.

Gorst told politicians he had discussed the importance of the links with the economic development minister and the Ports of Jersey, which is authorised by the government to talk to airline carriers.

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