National newspaper agreement could change

The way people in Jersey get their national newspaper could change.

The agreement between Jersey and the National Publishers Association is due to end later this year.

The National Publishers Association said negotiations will begin soon, and one of the possibilities is that newspapers could come to the island later each day.

Jersey Airport is paid about £350,000 a year to open early for the arrival of the mail and newspaper plane.

The National Publishers Association in the UK contributes towards the bill for opening the runway early.

Senator Paul Routier, who has political responsibility for the airport, said the £350,000 a year is used to cover the cost of opening early.

He said the cost covers bringing in air traffic controllers and the fire service early, and the runway needs to be checked for debris.

"A whole host of things need to be checked before the plane can come in," Senator Routier said.

Earlier this week the Financial Times raised its Channel Islands price by 30p to £2.30 blaming the rising cost of sending newspapers to the islands.

Negotiations will start soon between the States and the National Publishers Association to draw up a new agreement.