Latest news with #KirstenMorel
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Jersey ferry firm performance rated positive, minister says
Less than 5% of a ferry firm's sailings in Jersey have been cancelled in the first three months of operation, according to new figures. The statistics released by Minister for Sustainable Economic Development Deputy Kirsten Morel related to high-speed, passenger and car sailings run by DFDS, which launched ferry routes in Jersey in figures also showed 13% of the firm's freight sailings had been said overall "performance is positive" for DFDS, with 10 sailings cancelled out of 456 since the service began. Concerns had been raised over the cancellation of some sailings by DFDS including changes to the service to accommodate football fans travelling to the Muratti football match in Guernsey in about the cancellation of two Portsmouth sailings for the match have been lodged in the States by Scrutiny Liaison Committee member Deputy Montfort asked how the decision was made, what compensation was given to any passengers and if reputational damage had been has until 23 June to respond.
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Finistair flights to improve Channel Islands connection to France
A new flight route will give people on the Channel Islands easier access to western France over the will be run by the French airline company Finistair as part of a partnership between the governments of Jersey and 27 June to 31 August, direct flights will run every Friday and Sunday between Jersey, Alderney and the Brittany city of new connection aims to strengthen cultural, social and economic ties between the Channel Islands and Brittany. Finistair claim the flight time is only 35 minutes from Brest to Jersey, and 15 minutes from Jersey to Alderney, and offers a "quick and convenient way to explore the beautiful coastlines, culture, and gastronomy of western France and the Channel Islands".Deputy Kirsten Morel, Jersey's minister for sustainable economic development, said: "We've invested in this trial to help us assess the appetite for a longer-term service between the islands and France."We hope it will boost both cultural and economic connections with our near neighbours."I'm pleased that we are improving our air-route connectivity, enabling Islanders to reach both Alderney and Brest throughout the summer while also attracting new visitors to Jersey."
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Compensation calls for Blue Island passengers
Deputy Inna Gardiner has called for passengers impacted by Blue Islands flight delays and cancellations to get travelling by Blue Islands have faced recent disruption with some islanders missing medical appointments in Southampton because of cancellations. The airline removed 28 flights from its summer schedule due to one aircraft being damaged and another new addition to its fleet being delayed. Economic Development Minister Deputy Kirsten Morel acknowledged the airline had not been performing well enough but said a compensation scheme could make flight routes less viable. Deputy Gardiner told the BBC that islanders could not continue to pay for delays and said: "I would encourage the minister for sustainable economic development and the consumer council to get together to find a way that islanders can be protected, can be compensated and can be reimbursed."Whether its through the insurance company, or through the airline or through a special compensation scheme." Deputy Morel said a compensation scheme would not be introduced in this government said: "If you start a compensation scheme its going to add significant cost to the viability of the routes, that means routes will become less viable and so you could see airlines pulling out of certain routes if they are forced to be part of a compensation scheme."It would take some time to look at properly and its not something we are going to look at between now and the end of the states assembly." During a States Assembly sitting, the minister encouraged islanders to get travel Deputy Louise Doublet responded by saying insurance companies were not always paying out because they wrongly thought islanders were protected by EU law regarding flight Jersey Consumer Council said UK and EU law meant passengers on UK and EU-based airlines could claim more than £200 compensation for cancellations - but the equivalent law does not exist in the Channel Morel said if this issue was happening to people they should go to the Channel Islands' financial services ombudsman.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Guernsey chief minister "embarrassed" by ferry spat
Guernsey's chief minister has said he was embarrassed by a spat between Channel Island politicians over proposals for an inter island ferry follows a disagreement between Guernsey's head of economic development Neil Inder and Jersey's economic development minister Kirsten Morel over a possible solution to provide freight transport links between the a Chamber Of Commerce lunch, the chief ministers of Guernsey and Jersey were asked if they were embarrassed by the row between their economic development Lyndon Farnham said he was "disappointed but not embarrassed" while Guernsey's Lyndon Trott said he was "more embarrassed than Deputy Farnham". The chief ministers were talking to business leaders in Guernsey about the importance of inter-island cooperation on Wednesday when they were asked about the disagreement between Morel and had said he was angry Morel had told the media Guernsey did not seem as positive as Jersey over the inter island ferry plan proposed to them by FerryBridge. 'Disappointed but not embarrassed' Guernsey's chief minister Lyndon Trott told the BBC he was embarrassed by the spat. "One of the first things I learnt in politics is that there are few things that can't be sorted out over a cup of tea but also it's important that proper business is not conducted on the front page of the local newspapers," he said." I think while the spat was regrettable, the positions are held strongly."However Trott insisted inter island relationships were stronger than ever."The good news is there is an overwhelming amount of time we spend working cooperatively, collaboratively and positively and I genuinely expect that to continue significantly into the future," he said he was "disappointed" but not "embarrassed" by the disagreement and it was important the islands looked at moving forward."What we have to do now is work together to ensure, in the fullness of time, that we can get an improved inter island service for passengers and cars," he said."I'm sure that Brittany Ferries and DFDS and Jersey and Guernsey are committed to that and we have other third party operators that want to come in and provide services." However, Murray Norton, the head of Jersey's Chamber of Commerce, described the spat as "politically immature"."I think it's disappointing for Channel Island collaboration and I think its fairly unfitting of two politicians, whilst they might have deep seated views of their own island and we all have those," said Mr Norton. "But we've got to see the bigger picture and we look at our politicians to act much more maturely and to act a little bit more dignified I think."Inder is one of 82 candidates standing in Guernsey's general election - see a full list here.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Jersey and Guernsey politicians clash over ferry offer
Politicians in Jersey and Guernsey have clashed over inter-island ferry island's governments chose different firms to operate services to the UK and France for the next 15 years, but under the new arrangement there are fewer large vessels travelling between Jersey and said they had now been approached by a group, called FerryBridge, offering to run vehicle and freight services between the Kirsten Morel, who was responsible for Jersey's ferry negotiations, said he was "willing to support" the idea, but Deputy Neil Inder, who ran Guernsey's negotiations, said it was too early in the new arrangements. Deputy Kirsten Morel, the sustainable economic development minister who handled the ferry negotiations for Jersey, said island authorities were interested in the offer from FerryBridge."Jersey has said it's absolutely willing to support that, we've not received positive responses from Guernsey," he said."I am slightly concerned that we're being offered solutions and Jersey wants these solutions but we're being pushed back elsewhere, and I do wonder why that's the case." Deputy Neil Inder, President of Guernsey's Committee for Economic Development, said Morel's comments had left him angry."'I'm incredulous that a minister in Jersey appears to have no ability to look in the rear-view mirror," he said."I have already advised the people behind FerryBridge that it is too early in the new ferry arrangements and any ferry proposal seeking ramp access would be incompatible with Guernsey's current contractual, legal and ramp licensing arrangements."Deputy Morel is fully aware of our position, so there shouldn't be any lack of clarity on his part." Despite a lack of options for people wanting to take their vehicles between the islands, there are a number of services for foot passengers. Guernsey company Islands Unlimited launched an inter-island ferry service offering a daily inter-island foot passenger service on high-speed catamaran capable of carrying 316 passengers from Murray, operations director for Islands Unlimited, hoped the service provides more certainty for people wanting to travel between the islands."They want something that they know is the same each day of the week," he said."Not only for the general public, but also for a lot of the tour operators that are trying to have confidence to sell experiences to visitors in both islands."French firm Manche Iles Express will also run ferries for foot passengers between the French coast, Jersey, Guernsey and Sark.
