‘System not working’ as Alderney flights cancelled

Aurigny provided several reasons for the cancellation of the flights yesterday and potentially tomorrow due to crew shortages, including a resignation, delays in the training of newly-recruited pilots due to Covid-19 and subsequently the quarantine of some staff who needed training overseas.

However, States member Steve Roberts, who is part of the island’s Air Transport Advisory Group and a former worker at Aurigny, was critical of the lack of staff available to put the flights on now and in future.

‘I have been extremely disappointed at the fall down of our service in the last few days,’ he said.

‘Once again, this is impacting our own residents, medical patients, many with cancer, failing to access vital treatment.

‘The Aurigny service is painfully thin and with too few crew, adding to that, only two aircraft serving our island, leaves us exposed to further disruption in the future, further damaging our fragile economy.’

For Dornier flights to run safely and operate in accordance with regulations, a first officer and a captain are needed.

Aurigny said a catalogue of events had left them with a shortage of first officers.

Mr Roberts said that he felt it was a time for solutions rather than blame, but if blame was to be directed it was at politicians.

‘The system is clearly still not working once again, a trait we have seen for many years now,’ he said.

‘If blame was to be sourced, I would lay it at the door of politicians in both islands, lacking the political will to explain and then accept the depth of our services failings and its needs.

‘People need to understand just how much this affects us, it’s not all about costings, it is about a community that lacks the basic human right of passage for health and economy.

‘[We need to] future proof this part of the Bailiwick, we need to sit down and realise how undersized this service really is and do something about it, together.’

Fellow Alderney representative in the States of Guernsey, Alex Snowdon, said it would affect staycationers and he would look to Aurigny to provide a response and further clarification of how they will improve crew resistance so it is not repeated again.

‘This is a huge blow to our islands as the staycation has brought the communities together during these challenging times,’ he said.

‘It seems totally ridiculous no warnings were given that the service would be pulled and reduced with a very busy weekend taking place.

‘In turn this has caused upset and distress for visitors and left the accommodation sector struggling to sort out the mess.’

He added that it highlighted how the inter-island service would appear to be extremely fragile with limited crew and hoped to see a resolution soon.

‘Hopefully Aurigny can resolve the matter quickly so there isn’t any long-term reputational damage after such a wonderful summer seeing lots of Guernsey people discovering and enjoying Alderney.’

States member Christian Harris, who like Mr Roberts is on the Air Transport Advisory Group, also remained positive.

‘Whilst this is obviously hugely frustrating for us, after a difficult tourist season, it should hopefully highlight to the States of Guernsey and the Guernsey public who might have hoped to visit us for the first time, that we need much more robust and reliable air links in order for us to thrive,’ he said.

‘I’d hope that the hugely increased interest with Bailiwick staycationers this year will bring forth positive change in the relationship between Aurigny and Alderney and we’ll finally be considered to be an equal and important part of the Bailiwick.’