 The twice-daily Heathrow service is due to start on 26 March |
The airline Flybe has complained to Jersey's competition authority about the way a rival airline was given a States subsidy. In January, bmi received an undisclosed sum to set up a twice-daily service from Jersey to London Heathrow.
The island has been without a link to the Heathrow hub since British Airways (BA) pulled out in October 2000.
The Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority (JCRA) has confirmed a complaint has been received from Flybe.
'Robust arrangement'
Deputy Alan Maclean, the States member with responsibility for Jersey Airport, said the JCRA had been consulted before the subsidy for bmi was agreed.
Mr Maclean told BBC News: "Preliminary advice was sought and we are confident the arrangement is robust and does not contravene competition law."
He said the deal was considered to be in the best interests of Jersey and would hopefully help recapture the "lost market" of about 45,000 inbound passengers to the island, lost when BA withdrew.
Bmi's Heathrow service is due to begin on 26 March.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
