THE launch of new charter flights from Oxford to Jersey has proved a soaraway success, with only two seats left on the first flight.

More than 60 per cent of tickets on the charter service – the first from Oxford to the Channel island for 19 years – have been sold before the first plane has left the ground.

From July 11, holidaymakers will be able to board an Air Southwest plane at Oxford Airport, Kidlington, to fly to the island, with weekly flights departing every Saturday until September 12.

Currently there are only two seats left on the 50-seat aircraft operating the first service, while 81 per cent of tickets have been sold for the first three dates.

With sales flying high, the tour operator, CI Travel Group, is already considering operating flights again next year, with an expanded timetable.

The airport’s marketing manager, James Dillon Godfray, said the flights’ popularity could be partially attributed to the strength of the Euro, making Continental holidays more costly, while visitors could use sterling in Jersey.

He added that the convenience of flying from Oxford was also a factor, because the majority of passengers came from within a 30-mile radius of the airport.

He said: “It has gone better than expected in terms of the level of uptake and the speed of uptake.

“The vast majority of passengers are right on our doorstep.

“They can see it’s going to be convenient but also a more pleasurable experience to fly from their local airport, rather than going to Gatwick or Stansted.

“Here, you can turn up an hour before the flight, park the car and walk to the terminal.

“It’s a very easy and comfortable environment and nothing like a busy international airport.”

Mr Godfray said the majority of customers booking for the 45-minute flights to Jersey were older couples or families with children going on their on summer holidays.

Robert Mackenzie, managing director of CI Travel, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the performance of the route so far. To have 60 per cent of the flights sold before one of them has even flown is a very good position to be in.

“It will depend on the final outcome of the year, but I’m reasonably confident, given our position, that we will be looking to be able to extend the season in 2010.

“However, we won’t make a decision until the autumn.”

Bookings can be made online at discoverjersey.com cwalker@oxfordmail.co.uk