Alderney States calls for urgent meeting on air services

With the island’s new runway project also on hold following an escalation in costs, Alderney has called for an urgent meeting to discuss a way forward.

The island’s States said that savings on aviation services could not be made until the runway was sorted out.

A refurbished runway and improved air connectivity were stated as immediate priorities for Alderney in its Budget for 2025. The runway project has been indefinitely delayed after tenders came in at £37m. for a project which was only narrowly approved by the States of Guernsey with a £24m. price tag. Alderney States yesterday described the situation as being at an 'impasse'.

Alderney politicians said yesterday that they believed the Policy & Resources Committee’s latest move was activating an amendment laid when the States of Guernsey approved a runway extension and airport rebuild in 2022. It was agreed then that the £2m. annual subsidy could be reduced.

‘That original amendment to renegotiate the public service obligation is now being actioned while the main purpose of the agreed proposition within which it was laid has not come to fruition, and it is worrying that the replacement runway has been delayed for so long, incurring increased costs to the taxpayer,’ said Policy & Finance Committee chairman Nigel Vooght.

‘We are of the opinion that savings to operating the air link and thus the PSO cannot be delivered until the runway rehabilitation is complete.’

‘The short-term effects of the implementation of the 2022 amendment could lead to immediate seat shortages for the community to obtain essential health and education travel as people will be looking to book business and leisure travel while the prices remain at the current rate.

‘It will also inhibit growing our economy and thus reduce Bailiwick income.’

P&R maintained that it was tackling an overspend and was acting under a States resolution to address the PSO subsidy with Aurigny.

External affairs lead Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq said that the States believed the £500,000 reduction in subsidy was ‘appropriate and proportionate’, given the circumstances.

‘Our committee appreciates that these increases in fares, while necessary for the reasons outlined, will not be welcomed by the community in Alderney,’ he said.

‘It’s important that we strike the right balance between the cost of the subsidy on the taxpayer and the cost for those using the service. For 2024 this balance was outlined in the contract, with the target of a £2m. subsidy, however, with this having increased by £600,000 it’s only right that we now take action to bring this back in line with the original target.’

P&R said that it had asked Aurigny for its views. The airline declined to comment yesterday.