UK flight cancellations begin as Aurigny adjusts services amid Iran war – London Business News | London Wallet

Aurigny, has begun cancelling flights from mid-April to early June due to ongoing instability caused by the conflict in Iran. The airline described the move as “proactive measures to address the impact of global instability.”

The carrier has also introduced a temporary fuel adjustment surcharge of £2 per segment for all new bookings, although this will not affect existing reservations.

Demand has fallen sharply, with Aurigny reporting a 13% decline in bookings for May. As a result, certain services to and from Guernsey have been cancelled, while others have been combined to maximise efficiency. Flights to London City Airport have been reduced, with affected passengers offered alternatives on services to London Gatwick Airport.

Connections from Exeter and Bristol have also been merged, meaning some journeys from Bristol to Guernsey will now take approximately an hour longer than the current 55 minutes. The airline stated that these changes aim to maintain weekly flight numbers while minimising excess seats.

A planned increase in weekly services between Paris and Guernsey has been postponed until June.

Aurigny’s chief commercial officer, Philip Saunders, said: “While a small island community, we are not immune from the realities presented by the global travel ecosystem.

“Current global events are impacting consumer confidence and changing travel behaviours. Furthermore, significant increases in global oil prices are now filtering through to aviation.

“Unfortunately, we have to pass on some of the resulting costs to customers to ensure sustainable air services to and from Guernsey.

“Although there is some softening of demand for near-term travel, we are pleased to be observing strength from July onwards, as we welcome more UK holidaymakers back to our safe and beautiful islands.

“Overall, despite all these challenges, we expect a positive year for the Guernsey travel market.”

Passengers impacted by the adjustments are being contacted directly and provisionally booked onto alternative flights. They also have the option to change flights within five days of their original schedule or request a full refund.

Aurigny’s move comes amid broader concerns about jet fuel availability and rising costs in the UK, as airlines and travellers face uncertainty caused by Middle Eastern tensions and disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz.