JERSEY’S Heathrow link cannot be guaranteed in today’s economic climate, according to Bmi chairman Sir Michael Bishop.

But the airline has plans to increase the frequency of flights on the route from two to at least three a day.
Sir Michael flew into Jersey on his private jet yesterday for a lunch at the Mayfair Hotel hosted by his long-time friend Maurice Segal, group chairman of Modern Hotels, and Economic Development Minister Philip Ozouf.

The Lieutenant-Governor, Lieutenant-General Andrew Ridgway, the Bailiff, Sir Philip Bailhache and the Chief Minister were among guests at the private lunch. His visit marked the 55th anniversary of the first Bmi flight to Jersey in 1953, which was the airline’s first scheduled service.

Sir Michael said: ‘We have a partnership with the States to ensure an air link from Jersey to Heathrow. We would really like to get the frequency of flights up to at least three flights a day. That’s our aim.’ But when asked whether he could guarantee that Jersey’s Heathrow link was here to stay, Sir Michael said: ‘There are no guarantees in life at all, especially in the present environment. We wish to make it permanent but cannot anticipate what will happen economically. We have to watch the economic barometers.’