Alderney residents suggest island buys smaller aircraft

The Alderney Air Transport Group – made up of Roger Dadd, Rod Paris and Malcolm Matthews, who all have experience in the aviation industry – suggest that the States of Guernsey purchase three or four twin-engined Tecnam Traveller P2012 aircraft.

These carry nine passengers each and would come in at a total cost of between £7.2m. and £9.3m., depending on the number bought.

A tender process would then be necessary to find a company with an air operator certificate to fly them under a public service obligation arrangement.

The model on which this is based operates in the Scottish islands, where the Scottish government purchased the aircraft and tendered to find an operator, which flies on a subsidised basis.

No work, other than refurbishment, would be needed on Alderney’s runway.

The aim would be for the service, including crew and a front-line engineer, to be based in Alderney and focus on the Guernsey route, as well as providing 24/7 medevac cover.

It is anticipated that this would need a subsidy. The group declined to provide figures at this stage, but said that it would be ‘much less than at present’.

Other routes that could be served would be Jersey, with a daily service in the summer but limited in the winter, plus two flights a week to Cherbourg.

Assuming these routes were flown, it is estimated that there could be a seat capacity of 68,711 a year, compared to 49,226 carried on all routes last year.

The planes would not operate the lifeline Alderney-Southampton route which would not be viable with nine-seater aircraft.

‘It relies on a high level of integration with Aurigny, whether or not Aurigny chooses to undertake the operation itself,’ the group said.

Mr Dadd is a former pilot who founded Guernsey Airlines and Channel Islands Air Search.

He said the group’s objective is to see Alderney provided with a reliable air service with more frequent flights, increased seat capacity and the ability to meet seasonal demands.

‘Although we recognise that any decision for the future of Alderney’s air services must rest with the States of Guernsey, we believe it important that a proposal comes from Alderney residents which provides reliable low cost air links to the northern isle without the need for huge borrowings to expand Alderney’s airport,’ he said.

The idea has been welcomed by the Alderney States, although a spokesman said there was a lot of work still to be done before it could be considered a viable option.

‘We welcome ideas from the public and thank the group for its concept which we will review with interest as we develop the strategy for solving our connectivity issues,’ he said.

‘A successful air transport model will only emerge once we have clarity on the runway’s dimensions. Until then, such ideas are theory rather than a sound business plan.’

n A report commissioned by Guernsey’s States' Trading Supervisory Board looking at the options for Alderney’s runway is expected by the end of the year.