Airline "cherry-picking" routes

The States is considering stricter licensing regulations

Flybe has been accused of "cherry-picking" Channel Islands' air routes in an attack by Guernsey's Commerce and Employment Minister, Carla McNaulty.

She said she wanted the States to have more "teeth" to prevent airlines dropping routes at short notice.

Last week the budget airline announced it was dropping its Guernsey to Paris route over the winter, having already cut routes to Manchester and Norwich.

Flybe said it "totally rejects" the minister's comments.

What we are looking at is a licensing regime where we have more teeth Carla McNaulty, Commerce and Employment Minister

Ms McNaulty said: "I was very surprised to hear the news last week and very disappointed.

"First with Manchester, then with Norwich and now with the Paris route, Flybe, to a degree, are cherry-picking.

"What we are looking at on the UK routes is a licensing regime where we have more teeth."

Mike Rutter, Flybe's chief commercial officer, said: "Flybe totally rejects Carla McNulty's 'cherrypicking' comments regarding the seasonal operational decisions employed by Flybe for its upcoming winter schedule.

"It seems strange that she would choose to have a public dialogue with the major UK domestic carrier into Guernsey rather than to respond to Flybe's continued attempts to personally engage with her government.

"Flybe is currently extremely concerned not only about the route licensing arrangements already imposed but also those reportedly being considered, that lack both consistency and clarity."

The company said its Guernsey to Paris route had failed to attract "sufficient demand" during the summer to allow it to continue during the winter.

Flybe will continue to fly to Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris from Jersey three times a week over the winter.