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Supporting airport and harbour development and improving air links into Europe are among the Government's strategic priorities for Jersey's ports outlined within a new policy document.
Presented to the States this week, the Policy Framework for the Ports Sector outlines a series of visions and goals intended to safeguard services, deliver investment in critical infrastructure, and continue the development of the island's ports.
Writing in the foreword of the 35-page document, Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel said: "As an island nation, we depend on the resilience and efficiency of our ports sector.
"The ports sector plays a crucial role in facilitating economic development and prosperity as well as maintaining connectivity which is vital to our well-being and our island way of life."
He added: "The ports sector is an important enabler of economic development and all that it can provide for islanders.
"This policy, the first of its kind in Jersey, establishes the priorities for the ports sector."
The eight strategic priorities are:
Discussions about the island's strategic air connectivity intensified in 2022, when easyJet announced a direct service to Amsterdam – although the route has since been scrapped.
Deputy Morel has previously said he would engage with Ports of Jersey to "encourage them to further the expansion of our European networks", noting that links to Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Lisbon and other major cities could be commercially viable.
Pictured: Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel has previously said he would encourage Ports to increase air connectivity with Europe.
The new report says the Government's strategic focus will include positioning Jersey Airport as a "regional hub" within the Channel Islands and Northern France, building "year-round" connectivity to the UK and Ireland and developing a "sustainable network" of European destinations.
It adds that this will involve:
The report stated: "Air connectivity is the life-blood of our island. It is a key driver of our island’s economy.
"It enables corporate travel, enhances the attractiveness of Jersey as a business hub and feeds our visitor economy.
"Air connectivity plays a critical social role, providing essential links for islanders to be able to access health care, education, to connect islanders with friends and relatives and to enjoy leisure travel."
Turning to the development of the airport and harbour estates, the report notes that the current portfolio encompasses La Folie, the New North Quay, the Steam Clock, La Collette, Victoria Pier and the Albert Pier at the harbour, while the airport includes the terminal, car parks, hangars, the cargo centre, the Aero Club and land adjacent to the airport.
Pictured: Major plans for the harbour have reached the planning stage.
It has been over a year since Ports unveiled its long-term development plan for the harbour, which includes a major overhaul of how current freight activities are handled as well as a complete redesign of the ferry terminal.
This is currently going through the planning process, while a masterplan for the Airport was due to go before Ports' board for consideration last autumn.
Additionally, Gama Aviation has submitted plans to build a new hangar for private jets at the Airport.
The report states that the government "supports the redevelopment of the Harbour and Airport estates", which will be lead by Ports.
It continued: "The Harbour and Airport and their immediate surrounds provide the first and last impressions for visitors to the island.
"They also act as a catalyst for economic activity, both for companies operating in the maritime and aviation supply chains, as well as creating development opportunities.
Pictured: Gama Aviation last year unveiled plans for a new hangar for jets at the airport.
"Development, whether of the harbour estate or at the airport, provides an opportunity to support the growth of existing Ports Sector businesses and encourage new participants to the sector. Much of the developing blue economy and those businesses ancillary to the airport are themselves highly productive businesses.
"The transformation of the Harbour estate, in the heart of St Helier, will define the harbourfront for generations to come. Similarly, the development of the Airport estate can act as a catalyst for economic development."
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