Aurigny Air Services
United Kingdom · AYLINE · Active
Airline Identity
History
Aurigny Air Services was founded by Sir Derrick Bailey and began operations on 1 March 1968, stepping in to serve Channel Islands routes after British United Airways withdrew from them. Based on Guernsey, the airline grew from a small local operator into the primary carrier linking the Channel Islands with the UK, France and Ireland, and it was an early adopter of a smoking ban on its flights in 1977. In 2003 the States of Guernsey nationalized the airline, acquiring full ownership through the Cabernet Ltd holding structure, a status it retains today.
Current Operations
Aurigny operates a fleet centered on ATR 72-600 turboprops, serving around a dozen destinations across the UK, Channel Islands, France and Ireland from its main base at Guernsey Airport, with a secondary operating base at Alderney. It is wholly owned by the States of Guernsey and is not a member of any global alliance, instead relying on codeshare and interline agreements with partner airlines. The carrier reported a return to profitability in recent years after a period of pandemic-related losses.
Last verified 2026-09-02· Source: airline public disclosures, company press releases & aviation-industry reporting.