Alderney Airport hours to be cut next month due to a shortage of air traffic controllers
A SHORTAGE of air traffic controllers in Alderney is forcing the airport to reduce its opening hours for three days next month.
Tuesday 9, Monday 15 and Wednesday 17 April will be affected, with Alderney Airport operating only between 8am and 1pm and 2.30pm-6pm. The latter two dates are in the school Easter holidays. The airport is normally open 7.40am-6.30pm Monday to Thursday.
The change has come about due to there needing to be at least one air traffic controller on duty when the airport is operational.
Emergency medical evacuation flights out of Alderney will not be affected.
Head of aviation services for Guernsey and Alderney airports Ash Nicholas said Guernsey staff were travelling to the northern island to help.
‘Alderney Airport air traffic controller coverage has been supplemented by two Guernsey-based controllers working with their Alderney colleagues to maintain the required cover,’ he said.
‘We have tried to build reduced cover for these three days around Aurigny’s schedule gaps for Alderney passenger service as much as possible.
However, it is acknowledged that it may mean some passenger flight timings may have to change slightly. Thankfully, our local trainee air traffic controller in Alderney will qualify soon, which will ease the situation and reduce the need for shorter operational hours. We understand this will cause some irritation to airport users. However, public safety is paramount and we have explored all other options before taking this decision.’
Aurigny is in the process of contacting any affected customers, with the airline aiming to move flight timings on the affected days.
Alderney normally has a team of four air traffic controllers but one has recently retired.
While a trainee is working his way up, they still need to be accompanied by a trained member of staff. Mr Nicholas said they hoped the trainee would get the experience he needed over the busy Easter period to get fully qualified.
Air Traffic Control manager Leah Jeffreys said they had to focus on safety.
‘It is essential that we maintain safe working practices for our air traffic control staff, where the risk of fatigue has to be removed from this highly specialised environment,’ she said.
‘This decision has not been taken lightly and all other options have been explored.’
Last July hours were reduced for four days due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.
