PEOPLE wanting to get flight information from the Airport will now have to pay £1 per minute.

A new premium line is part of a cost-cutting exercise at the Airport and is expected to generate thousands of pounds.Around 90,000 people each year called the old 490999 line, but those wanting information on flight arrivals and departures will have to now call 0905 629 4909.

However, information will still be free on the Airport’s website and on Teletext pages 294 and 295.Senator Len Norman, president of Harbours and Airport, said: ‘Our aim is to drive down costs at the Airport – most of which will be administrative ones – so that we can continue to reduce landing fees and ultimately attract more airlines to use the Island.’As part of our fundamental spending review we have promised to cut costs by £750,000.

Although this new phone line will not bring in anything like that sort of money, it will contribute towards it.’Eight positions at the Airport will also be lost this year, according to Senator Norman, as those leaving or retiring will not be replaced.

‘We are not making anyone redundant at the Airport but we shall not be replacing those who leave.

This reduction in staff, the increased parking charges and the automated phones line all contributes to reducing costs.’We have already seen that Thomsonfly.com are starting a regular service, as are Air Southwest, and we are keeping our fingers crossed for a very good year,’ added Senator Norman.’The switchboard number of 492000 will continue to be in use but will be automated from this week onwards.