Passenger numbers continue to recover
30th January 2024Air and sea travel continue to recover post-pandemic, with both showing year-on-year improvement in 2023.
Sea travel increased significantly last year, with 35,354 more passenger movements than in 2022, amounting to an annual increase of 16% over the year. This was led by double-digit percentage growth on the Jersey and Poole routes and the restoration of more regular ferry services to France.
Travel through Guernsey Airport reached 81% of pre-pandemic levels with 41,433 more passengers than in 2022. The majority of these extra passengers were on the Gatwick, Manchester or Jersey routes.
The island's international connectivity improved again in 2023, with the launch of seasonal, direct flights to a range of European destinations. Non-UK passenger movements increased threefold between 2019 and 2023, from 8,829 to 24,588.
Ports managing director Colin Le Ray said: "This growth in our international connectivity looks set to continue this year with the establishment of a direct Paris link for the first time in 15 years, while those visiting the English capital will be able to fly into London City and London Stansted again from the end of March.
“Overall, in 2024, travellers from the Bailiwick will be better connected than they were in 2019, with direct flights to a wider range of destinations, and we hope that will stimulate further recovery while providing increasing choice for islanders.”