Airline baggage issue 'putting people off visiting Alderney'

Professionals have had to wait up to three days for essential tools of their trade to arrive in the island because Dornier G-Saye does not have the capacity for passengers, extra fuel and baggage.

'It's an absolute scandal,' said States member Steve Roberts. 'We were promised in February that things would get better and they haven't. G-Saye, the secondhand Dornier that Aurigny acquired, can only carry 12 passengers instead of 18 and is one of the many ways that the transition to Dorniers has been mishandled.'

Dog groomer Sue Gould comes over every six weeks from Dorset to treat island pets. She said she had arrived in Alderney three times this year without the tools of her trade, which she has to put in the hold as they are sharp items. On two of those occasions she has been told that her luggage will not be travelling with her only when she has either been on the shuttle bus to the plane or actually on board the aircraft.

'I think it's an absolutely appalling situation,' she said. 'I don't really make any money when I come to Alderney and if I'm working here, it's time that I'm not working at the practice in Dorset.

'The last time it happened was on Thursday 19 May. We weren't told about our baggage until we were on the bus on the runway. My baggage didn't arrive until Friday night, which meant I couldn't meet any of the appointments that had been made for Friday. I couldn't understand it because five seats on the plane were empty. We got no apology.'