Alderney residents’ letter about Aurigny’s ‘shambolic’ service
AN 'ABSOLUTELY disgraceful' service from Aurigny led to Alderney residents handing in a letter with more than 700 signatures to States members yesterday.
Former Alderney States member Barbara Benfield, with Maggie Roberts and June Hammond, presented deputies with copies of an open letter accusing the airline of a shambolic service.
‘The service we were getting in the first half of this year was absolutely disgraceful,’ said Ms Benfield.
‘We were reduced to one plane most of the time. We had cancellations, we had off-loading, and pilots out of hours.’
She had heard from a number of visitors to the island who said they would not be going back, and among the bundle of papers presented to members were copies of letters from visitors.
‘People are saying they’re not going to come back unless there’s a Southampton service,’ she said.
Economic Development president Deputy Charles Parkinson was Ms Benfield’s main target for the material, and she urged him to do something about the airline’s service.
‘We’re hoping for somebody to actually do something, because for too long we’ve had delay and delay and threat,’ she said.
‘It’s not good for Alderney’s economy if the Southampton route is going to be finished. Businesses are saying they will move from Alderney if it happens. Then we’ll be in trouble for not holding our own.’
As the owner of Aurigny, Ms Benfield said the States of Guernsey was allowing Aurigny ‘to put a noose around our neck that’s getting tighter’.
She intended to present States of Alderney members with the same paperwork ahead of its meeting next week.
‘This has been going on and on. It’s very frustrating.’
