With air travel remaining uncertain as the conflict in the Middle East continues and a jet fuel crisis rattles airlines worldwide, it is unsurprising that holidaymakers are adjusting their travel plans. Many are now opting for staycations, with UK holiday companies reporting a surge in bookings to coastal and countryside retreats this summer.
Channel Islands Gaining Popularity
However, for those willing to fly, the Channel Islands—just an hour's flight from the UK—are not too far to travel, and interest in them appears to be growing. Jet2 recently announced it is expanding its routes to Jersey for summer 2027, adding two new routes and increasing capacity, as well as extending the season. The expansion follows 'continued demand' for the destination.
Matt Thomas, chief executive of Ports of Jersey, said: 'The growth that Jet2 has announced for 2027 demonstrates the growing confidence airlines have in Jersey. Increased capacity and a longer season delivers greater choice and improved connectivity. It's a great boost for our tourism industry, making Jersey more accessible to key UK markets and providing more flexibility for Islanders.'
New Routes from Multiple Airlines
Jet2 already operates flights to Jersey from East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, and Newcastle. It will now schedule 15 weekly flights during peak periods and begin services from Birmingham and Bristol. Loganair has also launched a new direct service between Jersey and Norwich, operating every Saturday from May 9—Jersey's Liberation Day—and on Wednesdays from June 3 until September 19.
British Airways introduced a direct flight to Guernsey on April 19, becoming the only direct connection from London Heathrow to the island. The route operates daily throughout the year.
Tourism Growth in the Channel Islands
The Channel Islands have seen a rise in tourism in recent years, even before the Iran conflict began. According to the BBC, Guernsey welcomed 17,411 more visitors in 2025 compared to 2024. Charlie Walker from the Tourism Advisory Board said: 'We're coming off the back of a really strong 2025, so I think expectations for 2026 are quite high. We've certainly seen later and later booking trends, so that sort of vulnerability remains because we haven't got the full picture of what the summer season is yet looking like. I've remained optimistic that we're going to see a really good summer season and build upon the momentum from 2025 and hope 2026 beats that.'
She attributes the increase to Brittany Ferries launching new routes and a surge in visitors from France. Meanwhile, many airlines continue to struggle with the Iran war and jet fuel crisis, with some forced to close down.
