Festive Travel Tips 2019

Guernsey Airport is expecting an increase in passenger numbers through the airport in the coming weeks in the run up to the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The Head of Aviation Services Ash Nicholas said Guernsey Airport tended to see an increase in the number of passengers using the airport, particularly on Friday evenings and the weekends as passengers head away for short breaks to the UK.

"Our aim is to keep the passenger flow moving as much as possible. We are therefore asking all passengers to allow plenty of time to get to the airport. We recognise there may be some additional queueing for security at morning and evening peak times of the day and primarily at weekends in the run up to the Christmas holidays. If applicable, travellers with hand luggage, especially on early morning or red eye flights, are encouraged to check-in on-line and be ready for security screening. Passengers with Aurigny can check- in their hold bags the night before for the first London Gatwick and Manchester flights. Passengers on other airlines should be ready to check-in as soon as the desks open at 6am. The installation of the new body scanner at Guernsey Airport is helping with the throughput of passengers through the security screening process."

The Deputy Head of Aviation Services for Guernsey Airport Steve Langlois also offered advice on Christmas presents.

"Wrapped presents in hand luggage will be x-rayed and may have to be opened by Airport security staff to check on contents; particularly if liquids and sharp objects are detected. We suggest passengers who are travelling with gifts in hand luggage should leave them un-wrapped for the duration of their journey to avoid any need to repack. Any wrapped presents can however be checked-in as hold baggage in your suitcase."

"The 100ml liquids gels and pastes container rule still applies in hand luggage, so any giftsets that contain containers of more than 100 ml will need to be placed in hold luggage, otherwise, it may have to be left behind. Please do not carry party poppers and sparklers in your hand or in checked-in hold baggage, these items are not permitted on board passenger aircraft."

Aurigny, Flybe franchise partner Blue Islands, and Flybe all allow Christmas crackers to be carried in checked-in luggage, but this is restricted to one sealed box of 12 crackers per passenger and the crackers have to be in their original retail packaging unopened. Homemade crackers are not permitted.

Passengers who require any special assistance into and out of Guernsey and Alderney Airports should book any help needed with their journey through the airport with their airline. This should be a minimum of 48 hours’ notice before you are due to travel. Anyone who requires a sunflower lanyard for hidden disabilities should ask for one at the Guernsey or Alderney Airport information desks; where they are available free of charge.

All of the Airport teams and business partners will be working hard over the next few weeks to ensure your festive holiday travel runs as smoothly and safely as possible.