'Positive signs' for 2026 passenger numbers

Passengers numbers for this year are looking much more positive, according to Ports and DFDS bosses.

There has been a strong start to the year for ferry travel to and from Jersey.

DFDS says 80,000 are already booked onto its services in 2026.

Last month it carried a third more people on the France route compared to the same period in 2025, with growth helped by its 24-hour day trip fare.

The Danish ferry company says growth on its Jersey routes are outpacing the rest of the Channel Islands sea travel market.

Last week, Brittany Ferries reported a 33% increase in forward bookings on its Guernsey-UK and Guernsey-France services.  It said 60,880 were booked on its services to the end of October 2026 and that its market share to the islands was 48%.

DFDS says Jersey is 'continuing to attract a significant share of passenger traffic', adding that more inbound group travel has already been secured for the coming summer than travelled in the whole of last year.

Chris Parker, DFDS.

Chris Parker, Jersey Route Director for DFDS said:

“Seeing such strong growth across our Jersey services, alongside a very  positive forward booking position for the summer, gives us confidence in the  continued strength of demand for travel to and from the island.”

The positive tone chimes with that of Ports of Jersey, which says passenger numbers at the harbour were up 15% in January, and at the airport by 4%.

It's reporting the ferry passenger numbers on the St Malo route in January were the highest since 2017.

Paul Holley, Head of Connectivity, Ports of Jersey commented:

“We are pleased to see a strong start to the year which bodes well for the remainder of the year.

At the airport, British Airways delivered strong growth, up 16%, and we are pleased to see Loganair making rapid progress to establish its base in Jersey.

"With the launch of KLM’s service to Amsterdam and easyJet’s service to Southend starting in April and Jet2’s expanded programme starting in May, the signs are positive for a strong year at the airport.

It's welcome news for the island's hospitality industry after the total number of visits to the island was down almost a fifth across 2025 and overnight stays for leisure declined by almost a quarter (24%).

Ana and Marcus Calvani, Co-CEOs of the Jersey Hospitality Association, said the numbers are encouraging:

"The development of DFDS Holidays, new partnerships and favourable  sailing times from St Malo are set to benefit the Island, businesses and  residents, and we’re looking forward to seeing more strong numbers as we go  through the year."

Lee Madden, President, Jersey Chamber of Commerce said the prospects for growth this year will directly benefit the business community and the visitor economy:

"Jersey continues to demonstrate exceptional strength in regional connectivity, with airlines and operators such as easyJet, British Airways, Jet2, KLM, Loganair, Aurigny, Aer Lingus, Lufthansa and DFDS all planning significant growth in 2026.

"This expansion not only enhances our island’s accessibility but also reinforces the vital role that strong connectivity plays in supporting economic prosperity.”