Servisair's ground handling operation will cease on 19 April

Servisair announced on Monday that it is stopping its passenger handling operation at Guernsey Airport on 19 April.

The decision was reached after lengthy discussions with its main customer Flybe.

Servisair's parent company said it reviewed the local conditions in Guernsey and concluded it was no longer commercially viable.

Flybe marketing director Ian Taylor said the company's head of ground services would meet the airport director to discuss future provision of airline handling.

There is clearly a chance that one of the other baggage handling operators may come in Noel Hayes, Rockhopper chairman

"While it may be viewed as very much a problem for individual airlines, this is perhaps something Guernsey Airport has to become involved in because it is for the future of the airport," he said.

Meanwhile, another Channel Islands airline, Rockhopper, said it would handle its own baggage handling at the airport.

It is planning to set up a similar operation to that it has in place at Bournemouth and Alderney airports.

The company has not ruled out the possibility of taking on some of the 35 staff who could be affected by Servisair's pull-out.

Self-handling

Rockhopper chairman Noel Hayes said there were a number of options available.

"There is clearly a chance that one of the other baggage handling operators may come in.

"There would also be an opportunity for Guernsey Airport to set up their own handling operation."

He added: "For a small operator like ourselves, we have moved to self-handling, initially in Alderney.

Cargo operation

"Three months ago we set up our own self-handling operation in Bournemouth, which has been a tremendous success, so now we are looking to repeat that exercise in Guernsey.

"We will obviously be talking to some of the very good Servisair staff that we know as to whether they would like to come and work for us."

Servisair's decision does not affect the cargo side of the operation at Guernsey Airport and Servisair/GlobeGround said other aspects of the business were not affected.