Ports of Jersey Annual Report 2023

Ports of Jersey has today released its Annual Report for 2023, the first full year without significant pandemic restrictions. The report shows continued recovery, with 1.46 million airline passengers representing a 10.5% increase since 2022, and another move towards the pre-pandemic figure of 1.7 million passengers. At the harbour, the recovery in ferry passengers was stronger than 2022, increasing by more than 97,000 or 26%.

Ports of Jersey’s turnover in 2023 was £50.5 million, an increase of £5 million on 2022.  Operating profit was £7.2 million in 2023, compared to £1.8 million in 2022.

Commenting on the results, Ports of Jersey Chair, Jeff Hume, said: “We are pleased to see that 2023 has seen further progress towards our goal of achieving the strong, sustainable financial performance that we need to fund major infrastructure developments at the Harbour and Airport.

“We are continuing to make rapid progress on rebuilding Jersey’s air connectivity, and saw a 12% growth in passenger numbers in 2023. We have long-term agreements in place with each of our airline partners, which provides the foundations for growth, more choice for Islanders and support for our economy.

“We are now working closely with Government on the arrangements for the future provision of ferry services, as the current operating agreement reaches its end in March 2025. We will help to ensure our future ferry services enable growth in passenger and freight volumes, enhance the reliability of services, increase the value for money of passenger services and prioritise environmental sustainability.

“I am confident that in 2024 our committed teams will continue to improve the travel experience for passengers, and support investment in Jersey’s future by transforming our harbour, safeguarding and developing air routes, and providing the infrastructure that meets the needs of 21st century travellers.”

CEO, Matt Thomas, said: “Passenger numbers have increased by almost 150% over the last two years, and Jersey Airport was one of the fastest airports in the UK and Crown Dependencies to recover from the impact of the pandemic. The resulting improvement in our financial performance is vital to enable us to deliver our essential investment plans.

“Our connectivity continues to grow, with easyJet adding Birmingham to its network, British Airways providing flights to both Heathrow and Gatwick, Jet2 running an inbound tourist service and Blue Islands securing our regional connectivity. I am particularly pleased to see growth to new European destinations from the likes of Lufthansa, Eurowings, Air Dolomiti and Channel Island Travel Group. In 2024 we will have services to 15 European destinations, including direct flights to Madeira, Tenerife, Ibiza, Faro, Majorca, Split and Lanzarote.

“Since emerging from the pandemic, we have worked on diversifying our revenues, so we do not have to depend solely on passenger and freight volumes. One example is our marine services business, which now has a fleet of four vessels working on marine infrastructure projects across Europe. This growth can then be invested in infrastructure and services for Jersey.”

The Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, said: “Government’s Policy Framework for the Ports Sector and Visitor Economy Strategy were both published in 2023 and they provide a framework for bringing stakeholders, including Ports of Jersey, together with Government. We have a long-term vision for the continuing success of the tourism and hospitality sectors, and we are working closely with Ports of Jersey to ensure that growth in connectivity, in particular into Europe, underpins our Future Economy Programme.”

Jeff Hume added: “I am pleased to see the positive impact of insourcing passenger assistance at the airport and of recruiting a dedicated passenger services team at the harbour. All our teams are determined to continue improving the experience of passengers travelling through our estate.”

A key priority of the Government of Jersey’s Policy Framework for the Ports Sector is to ensure that our sustainability targets align with Jersey’s Carbon Neutral Roadmap and international industry standards, treaties and legislation. In 2023 Jersey Airport was awarded Level 3 ‘Optimisation’ certification for the Airport Carbon Accreditation, and Ports of Jersey continued to balance its Scope 1 and 2 emissions with Durrell Rewild Carbon.