An airlink may also benefit tourism in Channel Islands

Swiss International Airlines pulled out of the route early last year for economic reasons.

But the banks Credit Suisse and UBS are starting a campaign now for the restoration of the link.

UBS Chief Executive Hans Baerlocher said any such link would also benefit tourism in the island and Switzerland.

Location selling

Mr Baerlocher said: "We are at the very preliminary stages to see if there is a level of interest on the island side. We will later try and see if there is interest on the Swiss side.

"We may also give a helping hand in negotiating certain fees down so as we can make it commercially feasible.

"In the long run, you won't find a senior company executive waiting for a flight connection if it's not something absolutely urgent.

"You will have less visitors, less opportunity to sell your location, and, over time, a lack of interest will affect the island."

Mr Baerlocher also said a link would benefit tourism in both Guernsey and Jersey.

He said: "I think there would be healthy traffic in the winter for skiing in Zurich or Geneva. I also think there would be traffic for Swiss people wanting to visit the Channel Islands.

"The airlinks are with the UK and nobody else, so the islands should encourage their own links. "We hope to move forward quite quickly."