Aviation sursis is ‘unhelpful’ – action group
A SURSIS on the future of aviation in the Bailiwick is unhelpful and just clouds the issue, the Guernsey Aviation Action Group has said.
The delaying motion submitted by Deputy Yvonne Burford called on the States to review Guernsey’s runway and review inter-island connections before any decision is taken on extending Alderney’s runway.
The sursis will be debated in the States in mid-December and, if approved, could delay any decision on Alderney for the foreseeable future.
GAAG is made up of pilots and people with aviation experience. Chairman Barry Cash said that he had been initially surprised to hear of the attempt to delay the decision on Alderney.
‘Three years ago we would have been much more supportive,’ he said.
‘We agree with the principle of a review, but it should have been done years ago. Whatever happens the major repairs to the Alderney runway cannot wait any longer.’
Mr Cash said he would not be surprised if the sursis motion was passed and the decision on Alderney’s runway shelved. He was frustrated by the continual delays.
‘P&R had the money and time to invest in Alderney years ago,’ he said.
‘The York Aviation report on the runway was completed in 2017, £12m. should have gone in. It should have happened then’.
The debate around Alderney concerns whether the States should spend an estimated £24m. extending Alderney’s runway to allow Aurigny’s ATRs to land there. GAAG has backed a plan just to resurface the current runway and upgrade the terminal.
‘The States are looking at this the wrong way,’ said Mr Cash.
‘We need to look at what Alderney needs. It needs flexible connectivity to the UK, Guernsey, Jersey and France. So it needs a non-"dirty airport” which is compliant with security. The ATR offers less connectivity and less flexibility.’
Although it does not support the extension of Alderney’s runway, GAAG does support the extension of the Guernsey runway as members believe it will boost Guernsey’s economy.
‘People want to come to somewhere safe, like Guernsey, and if people come the hotels will invest. It’s a case of, if we build it, they will come.’
n The delay in the States of Guernsey’s decision has delayed the States of Alderney meeting.
In order for the Alderney representatives and the States of Alderney members to attend the Guernsey debate, the Alderney States meeting has been moved from 14 December to 21 December.
For the same reason the Alderney People’s Meeting will now be held on 12 December in the Island Hall at 7pm.
