JERSEY risks losing early-morning flight departures unless Airport charges are reduced, says airline Flybe.

The largest carrier to the Channel Islands has called on the States to review charging structures in order to safeguard the future basing of aircraft in Jersey and the operation of early-morning flights from the Island.

Flybe operates 7 am departures to Gatwick and Southampton and the flights are particularly important to members of the finance industry and other businesses who travel for meetings in the UK.

The airline says that Jersey Airport levies a fee of up to £3,950 for every aircraft landing after the official closing time of 9.30 pm and before midnight.

After midnight charges can be as a high as £6,500.

Flybe says it has paid over £76,000 in extension charges since January and contends that airlines will have to consider the economics of basing their aircraft in Jersey.

The airline’s general manager, Ian Taylor, said that other regional UK airports, including Bristol and Gatwick, effectively operate 24 hours a day and do not levy extension charges on airlines.