Jersey Airport Records Highest Passenger Numbers in 16 years

Just under 1.6 million passengers travelled through Jersey Airport in 2016, the highest number recorded since the year 2000.

At the end of December 2016 a total of 1,590,791 commercial air passengers had travelled through Jersey Airport. This is an increase of more than 58,000 passengers up on 2015, equating to a +3.8% increase and in excess of 117,000 passengers in 2014, up almost +8%. The last time this figure was achieved was in 2000, when 1,635,584 air passengers were recorded.

Key Account & Marketing Director for Ports of Jersey, Myra Shacklady, is delighted with the 2016 results. She says, “This is a great boost for the Island and it’s nice to start the New Year on a positive note. Since the integration of Ports of Jersey in March 2012 we have experienced an increase in air passenger numbers year on year. In fact, since 2012 we have increased air passenger numbers by over 148,000. For an island the size of Jersey with its resident population of 100,000 we believe we have an enviable network of air services available to us and as always, Ports of Jersey will continue to explore new opportunities while maintaining the excellent relationships we already have with our existing carriers”.

The news has been endorsed by Minister of Economic Development, Tourism, Sport & Culture, Senator Lyndon Farnham, who says, “These figures are extremely encouraging and a sign that work over recent years to expand routes and choice is paying off. I am confident that this upward trend will continue in 2017 and beyond”.

The majority of UK regions saw increases in passenger numbers, in particular the London market (+6%), the north-west (+5%), north-east (+81%) and Scotland (+14%). However, inter-island passenger numbers ended the year down with 17,000 passengers fewer than in the previous year (-14%) as did the south (-15%). Low-cost carrier easyJet, which now operates seven routes from the Island, including the relaunch of a Luton service in 2016 carried in excess of half a million passengers during the year, resulting in having the largest overall market share of 32.9%, followed by British Airways with 24.3% and Flybe at 23.9%.

“2017 looks set to be an exciting year for airport activity”, concludes Miss Shacklady. “Not only will Jersey Airport celebrate its 80th year of operations on 10th March but work is also due to commence on the construction of a new arrivals facility as well as an enhanced retail and catering offering in the airside lounge for our departing passengers”.

Overall sea passenger numbers for 2016 have yet to be finalised. However, it is likely that numbers will be down compared to 2015.