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Alderney seeks independent review after Skybus admits overstretching

ALDERNEY is looking into an independent review of its air connections, with long-time critic of Aurigny’s operation, States member Steve Roberts, saying that the service is worse than ever.

Skybus Twin Otter aircraft operating the Alderney-Guernsey route. 		 (Picture by Sophie Rabey, 34661079)
Skybus Twin Otter aircraft operating the Alderney-Guernsey route. (Picture by Sophie Rabey, 34661079) / Guernsey Press

He was responding to an admission from Skybus that it spread itself too thinly in taking on the Alderney-Guernsey route before it had taken delivery of the aircraft needed, and trained the pilots required.

Mr Roberts said he was aware of the message to Scilly islanders from Ian Howard, chairman of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group and said he knew that Skybus had overstretched itself before it started operations.

‘If we have only two aircraft and fewer seats than the Dornier, straight away you are getting a problem,’ he said.

He added that having the pilots based in the UK was detrimental to the service.

A three-man sub-committee of the island’s Policy & Finance Committee has been set up under Mr Roberts’ chairmanship and efforts are now being made to find someone to carry out an independent review, he said.

‘I want a review of just how the island is now suffering and to get it from an independent source,’ he said.

Mr Roberts said that he felt let down by previous promises from Guernsey’s senior politicians after Aurigny was taken over by the States of Guernsey that the island would never have to worry about its lifeline routes again.

‘That promise has been broken,’ he said.

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