Air Alderney says it is ready to start flying

But States of Alderney Policy & Finance chairman Bill Abel has pointed out that the company still has no route licences.

Air Alderney has announced that it has received its air operator’s certificate and is looking forward to welcoming people on-board for charter services in the initial months.

After the Alderney-Brighton route is launched, the company also wants to start scheduled flights between Alderney and Jersey.

Its website says it also plans a freight service between Guernsey and Alderney.

A company spokesman wrote on social media that the two routes would offer the best options for onward journeys, connecting family and friends, as well as business.

Information on prices, how to charter a flight, and the frequency of the scheduled flights, is due to be announced soon.

But Mr Abel said the States was still waiting to hear from the airline.

‘Following the recent announcements by Air Alderney of its intention to introduce scheduled air services on several routes, including Alderney to Shoreham and Alderney to Jersey, I should point out that Air Alderney have no route licences and, to date, the States of Alderney has not received any applications,’ he said.

‘There is a clear process to apply for, and the granting of, route licences under the Air Transport Licensing (Alderney) Law, 1996.

‘Applications need to be made to the Alderney Air Transport Licensing Board, which for clarification is a separate legal entity to Alderney’s Policy & Finance Committee.’

The Guernsey Press was unable to contact the airline yesterday.

The company plans to operate a Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander.

According to tracking website Flightradar24.com, the aircraft flew from Biggin Hill to Alderney on Saturday, then to Brighton City before returning to Biggin Hill.

The new airline has had to overcome various obstacles to reach this stage, including a situation in 2019 when the States of Alderney said that licences granted were invalid and the company had to reapply.

Currently Alderney only has direct services to Guernsey and Southampton, both operated by Aurigny.

But in previous years there have been direct services between Alderney and Shoreham Airport, which was rebranded as Brighton City Airport about five years ago.

Brighton City is largely used by privately-owned light aeroplanes and flying schools, but does occasionally appear in historic features, such as The Crown and The Da Vinci Code, due to its art deco building.