Aurigny Leases New Aircraft for UK Service Reliability
Aurigny, the Guernsey-based airline, is set to lease two new aircraft starting in July to enhance the reliability of its services. Recent months have seen a decline in punctuality below the UK average, prompting this strategic move by the company's CEO, Nico Bezuidenhout.
Current Challenges and Solutions:
Mr. Bezuidenhout acknowledged the recent downturn in punctuality, attributing it to a series of unexpected technical events. Despite emphasizing safety as the top priority, he expressed the necessity of prioritizing getting passengers to their destinations on time, even if it occasionally requires flight delays.
Apologies to Affect Passengers:
While outlining a clear plan to recover from recent setbacks, Mr. Bezuidenhout extended sincere apologies to passengers affected by the recent issues. Aurigny has faced various challenges, including delays, replacement aircraft, and an incident involving a plane overshooting the runway.
Customer Feedback:
David Piesing, a frequent Aurigny passenger, highlighted concerns about the airline's operational capacity, describing it as "overstretched." He emphasized the need for a more flexible approach, suggesting increased wet leasing of aircraft and crew on a pay-as-you-fly basis. However, he acknowledged the financial hurdles associated with this strategy.
CEO's Response:
Mr. Bezuidenhout addressed the suggestion of reducing routes to improve resilience, noting that reliability issues predate the introduction of new routes. While recognizing the ongoing battle for business travelers and island residents, he reiterated Aurigny's commitment to overcoming these challenges and restoring confidence in its services.
