Commercialise the airport...

THE airport should be commercialised, an independent report has recommended.

Public Services commissioned the operational review against the backdrop of recruitment, retention and standby issues with the Airport Fire Service.

But consultant Frank Burchill's recommendations are understood to have gone further than many people expected.

'Operational management should be accountable for collective bargaining and its outcome,' said the report.

'This requires the context of a board-level business plan with appropriate targets set for management and monitored.'

Mr Burchill envisaged Public Services retaining responsibility.

'In principle, the Guernsey Airport authority could be responsible for its own collective bargaining across the whole range of its employees.'

The airport was expected to record an operating surplus of £2.117m. last year and £2.012m. is forecast for 2009.