The terminal is designed to deal with 1m passengers a year

The first flights in and out of the island were turned around without hitch.

The �19m building replaces the island's 65-year-old former airport buildings and offers the island the most up-to-date equipment and facilities.

It is designed to deal with more than one million passengers a year and offers more comfortable lounges and tighter security for travellers.

We see the terminal as the first step Mark Gill, President of the Chamber of Commerce

Mark Gill, President of the Chamber of Commerce, described the airport as a vital link for Guernsey, and hoped resources would continue to be put in its direction.

He said: "We would like to see the runway lengthened. We think that's essential in the long run.

"We see the terminal as the first step.

"It is a lovely building, but now we need to get it into a first rate airport that is necessary for Guernsey."

Geoff Norman, President of the Guernsey Tourist Board, said: "If you come into an old antiquated structure you have a bit of a dated view that people aren't moving forward with the times and I think this makes an extremely positive statement."