Air passenger numbers to August up by 12%

The number of visitors arriving in Guernsey by air has increased by 12% in the first eight months of 2026, with first-time visitors up 30% compared with the same period in 2025.

According to Guernsey Ports air passengers spent £82.6 million, up £8.7 million on January to August 2025.

It said 238,953 individual passengers left Guernsey by air, in the first eight months of 2026 and half of them were visitors to the island.

There were 49,000 travellers from airports in London, including 16,000 on the Heathrow servcie which started in May.

Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, the president of the economic development committee, said the figures were "very encouraging for 2026, despite the geopolitical uncertainty and the changing travel patterns we are seeing".

She said it was "particularly positive" to see more people visit for the first time.

Alan Sillett, the president of the Guernsey Hospitality Association said accommodation suppliers had seen and increase in occupancy every month between January and August, apart from February.

The summer months had a 5% increase in room bookings and he said the trend carried on into Spetember.

"These are encouraging signs for the industry and reflect the importance of maintaining good air and sea connectivity, alongside continued efforts to attract visitors to Guernsey and encourage them to stay overnight," Sillett added.

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