Jersey in 'advanced talks' with multiple airlines over new routes
The boss of the organisation responsible for aviation activity in Jersey has said it is in "advanced conversations" with a number of airlines about establishing new routes.Ports of Jersey CEO, Matt Thomas made the comment following news of government investment aimed at persuading more carriers to fly into Jersey.He said he was "very confident" that flights to destinations like Paris and Frankfurt would be available within five years. Earlier this week ministers confirmed plans to spend £2m over the next two years on the project.
'We are very, very competitive'
Speaking after the announcement, Mr Thomas said the investment of public funds makes Jersey a "more exciting prospect to some airlines"."We are at the table. We are very, very competitive in terms of what it costs to land and turn around your plane in Jersey", he said.
He also said there were more than 20 airlines that don't currently fly to Jersey Ports of Jersey is in regular contact with.He added Jersey needed to prove it could deliver "value for money for tourists and businesses" to make it viable for airlines.
Visit Jersey will also receive a separate grant in order to market Jersey as a holiday destination in any of the places where new routes are secured.It will receive £4m over the next two years, the majority of which will be spent on "route marketing". Tricia Warwick, chief executive of Visit Jersey, said: "It's all about creating connectivity into Europe, and the main markets that we're focused on developing are France and Germany."You've got to have a compelling reason for them to come, and value for money is part of that."
'Incentive for airlines to try it'
Making the funding announcement, Deputy Kirsten Morel said: "If Jersey is to succeed in having sustainable air routes over many years they have to deliver that to the airlines and that's where the better business support package comes in."It provides that incentive for the airlines to try it, but if an airline sees that it's not getting the return it wants it will cut any link."Earlier this month, airline Blue Islands announced plans to fly direct to three European destinations, Bilbao, Verona and Munich, later this year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Alcohol consumption by Irish adults falls by almost 5% in a year
The latest data has been described as consistent with a downward trend recorded over the last 25 years. A new report by economist Anthony Foley found the average alcohol consumption per adult fell by 4.5% last year to 9.49 litres of pure alcohol. This is a drop of more than one-third (34.3%) since 2001. Total consumption in Ireland fell by 2.4% last year to 41.5 million litres, which equates to an overall 4.5% drop in alcohol intake per person when last year's 2.3% increase in the population is taken into account. The report indicates that consumption tastes are also evolving. Beer was the Ireland's most popular alcohol last year, with its market share increasing by 0.4% to 43.3% despite an overall drop in beer consumption. Wine was the second-most popular drink, increasing its market share by 0.1% to 28.2% in 2024. Its popularity has increased significantly since 2000 (13.2%). Meanwhile, spirits fell by 0.4% to 22.3% and cider fell by 0.1% to 6.1%. The report was commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (Digi), which said the figures demonstrated that Irish people are increasingly drinking alcohol in moderation. It follows other recent data which suggests that alcohol consumption in Ireland is now at average European levels. OECD data for 2022 revealed that Irish consumption ranks behind countries including France, Spain and Austria, and a separate report by the Health Research Board last year also indicated that Ireland's alcohol consumption was at average levels by EU or OECD standards. Donall O'Keefe, the secretary of Digi and chief executive of the Licensed Vintners Association, said the findings are reflective of a trend over the last 25 years. He has also called on Government to cut excise rates. 'Today's figures offer clear proof of what many of us already know – Irish people are increasingly drinking in a restrained manner, with consumption continuing the downward trajectory that has been recorded since the millennium,' he said. 'In contrast to the negative stereotypes that once existed, alcohol consumption in Ireland is now at average European levels, with the purchase of non-alcoholic drinks continuing to increase. 'This downward trend also raises the obvious question as to why Ireland continues to have the second-highest excise rates on alcohol in Europe. 'Given that we now consume alcohol at average European levels it makes sense that we should pay excise at average European levels also. 'This is particularly true following the introduction of minimum unit pricing which prevents the sale of strong alcohol at low prices in supermarkets and shops. 'Across Ireland, hundreds of small rural pubs and restaurants are struggling for survival due to repeated increases in the cost of doing businesses, including staff, energy and insurance. 'A cut in excise would offer these businesses an opportunity to continue acting as vital hubs in their communities, as well as a crucial part of our tourism product.' 'Digi will be seeking a 10% cut in excise in this year's budget as an urgent measure to give these businesses a fighting chance of survival.' The Digi report was compiled by Prof Foley, associate professor emeritus at Dublin City University, using data from the CSO population and migration estimates for April 2024 and the Revenue Commissioners' alcohol clearances data.
Scotsman
5 hours ago
- Scotsman
Scotland seek answers in Liechtenstein: Steve Clarke's changes, 'shouldn't be panic' and chance-taker
In last match before World Cup qualifiers, Clarke and co require a response Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The tranquil setting of Vaduz on the banks of the Rhine should not be a place where further pressure is put on a football manager. Flanked by mountains, visitors usually return refreshed and happy. The small nation of Liechtenstein is currently ranked 202 in the FIFA World rankings. Only Hong Kong have suffered defeat to them in the past five years. Their 'golden' era of most-capped keeper Peter Jehle and star striker Mario Frick are long gone. Konrad Fünfstück's are usually deemed as easy prey for opponents of any meaningful repute. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland fall into that category as they arrive at the Rheinpark Stadion on the Swiss border. This is down as an away win, with odds of 1/12 from most bookmakers. San Marino scored three times when they rocked up here in November. It was an evening of anguish for Scotland against Iceland last time out. | SNS Group History with Liechtenstein won't ease any queasiness, mind you. On Scotland's only previous sojourn to Vaduz in 2011, they narrowly prevailed 1-0 thanks to a goal from Craig Mackail-Smith. That came a year on from an almost catastrophic first meeting with Liechtenstein, when Stephen McManus' 97th-minute header earned a 2-1 win at Hampden. The last match of a long season, many in the Scotland squad are entitled to feel jaded. There have been title wins, cup successes and long European runs. This probably isn't their idea of an Alpine retreat. Nevertheless, Scotland need to tool up for one final job ahead of the holidays. A meek 3-1 defeat by Iceland on Friday night and the lacklustre nature of the performance requires a response. This is the last time head coach Steve Clarke will have his squad together before the World Cup qualification campaign kicks off in September against Denmark. The Parken Stadion will be a world away from the docile 7,584 arena they play in on Monday evening. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland 'need to win their next game' Scotland will want to bounce into the autumn matches, of that there is no doubt. Their recent record in friendlies is poor and Clarke wanted to address that in this double-header. Iceland has come and gone, now it's about doing a number on Liechtenstein. "We need to win our next game on Monday night," was the blunt assessment of midfielder Lewis Ferguson after Iceland. "We need to go and put on a good performance and win the game. Winning games is what breeds confidence. We need to get back to that." Clarke himself admits he is not the most adventurous when it comes to mixing it up with team selection. The manager may have been wrestling with whether to give his main men a chance to atone for Friday and get a much-needed triumph under their belt in Scotland colours, or blood some of the uncapped players in his current group. As it is, injury and fatigue may play a part, with Clarke accepting he may make more alterations than usual. The likes of Josh Doig, Andy Irving and Kieron Bowie will be desperate for game-time and their international debuts. A maiden appearance may come between the sticks after Cieran Slicker was unceremoniously thrown in at the deep end for his first senior appearance for club or country against Iceland after Angus Gunn's second-minute injury and was at fault for all three goals. Celtic-bound keeper Ross Doohan has been summoned from his holidays to join the squad. Doohan has made 20 appearances for Aberdeen this season and seems likely to make his debut, having been solid at Pittodrie all season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One may ask why he wasn't in the squad ahead of others. One may also ask why Clarke reverted back to a back-three against Iceland when the back-four had been a reasonable success in the Nations League A campaign against more glamourous opposition. Kieran Tierney's injury may force a formation change. Scott McTominay, the poster boy after Serie A success with Napoli, will also be absent due to a niggle. That means Clarke doesn't need to find the best way to shoe-horn all of his top-level midfielders into one team. It is hard to get Ferguson, John McGinn, Billy Gilmour and McTominay effectively on the pitch at the same time. Craig Mackail-Smith scores the winner against Liechtenstein for Scotland back in 2011. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 And then there are the strikers. Che Adams has not scored for Scotland in a year, and the Torino hitman must sense an opportunity against Liechtenstein. They are rarely scudded, but Adams will surely get chances if selected ahead of George Hirst as Clarke's No 9. He needs to take them. Within the squad, there is awareness of the talent at Scotland's disposal. "There shouldn't be any panic," Ferguson advised. "We've good strong squad, with plenty of quality and experience. But we do recognise that we need to get back to winning ways and get back to performing at the levels we know we're capable of." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Scottish Sun
17 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Coronation Street hunk Adam Rickitt and GMB host wife's new life in Sicily as they splash out on Mediterranean home
The pair hope to transfer their business overseas too sunny life Coronation Street hunk Adam Rickitt and GMB host wife's new life in Sicily as they splash out on Mediterranean home Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER soap hunk Adam Rickitt and his Good Morning Britain star wife Katy have made a huge property investment overseas. The couple have long dreamt of a life in Sicily and now they have made it a reality after remortgaging their UK home and splashing the cash of a Mediterranean holiday home. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Adam and Katy Rickitt has purchased their dream home overseas Credit: Instagram/@katyrickitt 6 Former Corrie hunk Adam already seems to be settling into the home from home Credit: Instagram/@katyrickitt 6 Katy has already been showing off pics from inside their new showbiz pad Credit: Instagram/@katyrickitt Adam and Katy confirmed last week that they had sealed the deal on snapping up their dream pad in the sun. The 47-year-old revealed it would be their "home from home" with a view to spending an increasing amount of time there. Katy and Adam's main base is in Knutsford, Cheshire with their two dogs but it seems they could be ditching the luxury county for life in the sun full-time if plans come to fruition. Former soap star Adam and his journalist wife have set up their own side hustle in Cheshire but have plans to move the business to Sicily in time. Their craft beer and artisan gin bar called Dexter and Jones has become vital in their lives but they could adapt they sunshine life to include their business. Speaking all about their European dream, Katy wrote on Instagram: "What the hell just happened. We are giddy with excitement! "After a ceremony much like a signing of the wedding register we are the proud owners of a tiny slice of heaven in the island we've come to know as the Happy Place: ortigia! "After years of obsessively binge watching @aplaceinthesunofficial I still never thought I'd be lucky enough to do this, and maybe we are actually crazy as we've remortgaged our own house to do so!" Katy continued: "But we came to the conclusion that life is too short and being able to save up the date nights and escape here when life gives you a breather rather than having to always plan ahead just felt like the ultimate dream … and worth accepting that the bulldogs will always own the only sofa at home for. "We will give you all a proper tour very soon but for now we are off to go and shop for paint and hoovers in the sunshine!! How crazy is that?!!!" Hollyoaks and Coronation Street star Adam Rickitt strips totally naked for charity calendar Adam also spoke about the decision as he wrote online: "We did a thing!! "It's been a lifelong dream to have a Sicilian not not a it is ours!!!" In the accompanying snaps, the celebrity pair showed off some of their brand new home. Adopting a traditional European feel, it was adorned with exposed stone walls and white-wash features. It also came complete with built-in seating areas and a stunning outdoor terrace - perfect for the pair to host their family and A-list pals. 6 Katy has vowed to give fans a full tour of the house Credit: Instagram/@katyrickitt 6 The couple hope to move their business overseas Credit: Instagram/@katyrickitt 6 Adam rose to fame as a Corrie pin-up Credit: PA:Press Association
