Le Coqs info from thisisjersey:
JERSEY is to have a new inter-island airline because Le Cocqs Airlink is today changing its name to Rockhopper.
The rebranded airline will take off on Monday 22 September when it begins flying between Jersey and Guernsey. It will fly up to eight times each day between the two islands with a guaranteed return fare of £49, as long as the seat is booked more than two weeks before flying. Within a fortnight, the price of a ticket increases to £69.
‘This is a hugely exciting time for us as a new inter-island airline,’ said Rockhopper chairman Noel Hayes. ‘We will deliver competitive fares and top quality customer service on inter-island air travel. We are going to break Aurigny’s monopoly and give people a much better deal.
‘We have changed names to emphasise our commitment to the Channel Islands. We see our future as flying between the rocks rather than using them as stepping stones to bigger things, as Flybe has done. We want to develop a Channel Islands focused network with links to the surrounding coasts such as Bournemouth and the Cotentin peninsula but our ambitions do not go beyond that – we are not a Virgin Atlantic.’
Rockhopper will continue to fly between the islands and Bournemouth and it also intends to expand its service between Jersey and Alderney. The number of passengers that travelled with Le Cocqs in the first half of this year is more than double those of the whole of last year.
Passengers on the new airline will have access to a lounge at Jersey Airport, where they’ll be served with complimentary coffee and a newspaper before boarding their flight. The rebranding is accompanied by the launch of a new website, http://www.rockhopper.aero.
By: Nationwide Air - 11th September 2003 at 19:18
Hi,
RockHopper have a nice livery :).
Nationwide Air
By: Saab 2000 - 11th September 2003 at 18:42
Some of you expressed interest in Rockhopper’s website, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the improvement below.
By: Saab 2000 - 1st September 2003 at 19:42
Very true, Aurigny has exploited its monopoly for far too long especially with its dominance on inter island flights. They have been able to impose higher fares while frequency and flexibility has decreased, which has been of no advantage to the consumer. Therefore, with Jersey authorities advocating “Open Skies” and Guernsey apparently remaining impartial in the airline’s affairs, it was only a matter of time before Aurigny’s stronghold on inter island flights was quashed and competition allowed to flourish on the route.
RockHopper chairman Noel Hayes has campaigned extremely hard for unequivocal commitment to fair competition on routes and finally he has received it. The airline will be able to operate where Aurigny has withdrawn in terms of frequency and also ensure lower prices, which should help increase passenger numbers. With 31% of all flights full a day before departure and percentage increases in passenger numbers on inter island flights, hopefully RockHopper will be able to compete fairly and successfully on the route.
Interestingly enough, the licensing system used by Jersey and Guernsey was designed to guarantee Aurigny’s vital inter island service. When in the context of developing “Open Skies”, a number of airlines in Europe and the UK indicated that they might pursue operations on the Jersey to Guernsey portion of their operations. No doubt this was of concern to local authorities as it could damage Aurigny’s consistent frequency, service and financial viability. With this the authorities decided to require airlines to apply for licenses to the respective islands, therefore this would ensure competition was kept to a minimum. Now that Aurigny have competition on inter island it would leave a question on whether “Open Skies” could be established in the islands and furthermore whether Flybe. could also compete in the market, which they are currently limited to only selling tickets 30 minutes before departure on flights going via an island to the UK.
Definitely interesting times for both airlines and islands concerned. Obviously the “air wars” will continue with RockHopper and Aurigny continuing with their war of words.
By: wysiwyg - 1st September 2003 at 10:52
One of Aurigny’s biggest problems is that over the last 10 years they have become very complacent due to not having any real competition. Hopefully this will be the trigger to kick themselves up the butt and to start offering the passenger a better deal!
By: Saab 2000 - 1st September 2003 at 09:40
The added bonus for business travellers is the access to the lounge at Jersey. This surely, combined with low prices, take some business off Aurigny if the flight schedules are convenient.
Aurigny’s flights to Bournemouth also begin soon from Jersey and Guernsey in competition with RockHopper. Obviously RockHopper has upset the establishment and Aurigny are trying to re-establish their monopoly. Whether they will be successful is doubtful because the market is very small.
By: skycruiser - 1st September 2003 at 04:58
Good luck to them, it’s about time Auringy had some competition.
By: Saab 2000 - 31st August 2003 at 13:00
Le Cocqs will use the Islander on the route. The Trislander is Alderney based. And yes, the Trislander is a great aircraft to fly on.
By: wannabe pilot - 31st August 2003 at 12:48
Does anyone know which aircraft they will be using? Although I have never flown on one, I don’t think much can beat the Aurigny Trislanders can it? From what I have seen on my world air routes DVD and what people have said to me after travelling on a Trislander, I can’t wait to go on one myself.
By: fokker100 - 31st August 2003 at 11:25
Is the rockhopper web address correct? Only it doesnt want to load!
Cheers
Fokker 100
By: Saab 2000 - 31st August 2003 at 09:52
I like it 🙂 Noel Hayes must be a fan of Jersey Zoo 😉
I know who my next inter island flight will be with.
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August 30, 2003 at 5:19 pm