These were among the findings of a survey carried out by the Alderney Chamber of Commerce, which focused on the disruption experienced by the island over the course of the past 12 months.
It received about 100 responses, which chamber president Andrew Eggleston said resulted in ‘a very uniform picture’.
Aside from the general theme of failing air transport structure, the feedback from businesses gave a deeply concerning depiction of this structure, he said.
‘The message is consistent in that the present arrangement involving both Aurigny and Skybus is not delivering, and has not been delivering, the reliable and accessible service that our island needs,’ said Mr Eggleston.
Among the specific concerns highlighted were the inadequacy of back-up arrangements if there was an issue with aircraft, insufficient cover for sickness or absence of crew, crews not being based in Alderney, contractual accountability, insufficient capacity at busy times, inadequate arrangements for stranded passengers, inconsistent communication about cancellations, and the situation with medevac flights. The issue of repeated delays to the runway improvement programme was also raised.
‘One response to our survey asked what performance standards, financial penalties and compensation provisions apply when the service fails,’ he said.
Another respondent wondered what were the precise contractual obligations, including performance standards, of Aurigny and Skybus, and were they being fulfilled – there did not seem to be any public reporting about these.The overall view was there was a growing loss of confidence in the airline and it was not only Alderney businesses that were being impacted.
‘We have many from Guernsey flying in representing the finance sector, accountancy, surveyors, business owners along with visitors and second home owners,’ said Mr Eggleston.
Companies in the hospitality sector, one of the island’s most important areas, have reported lost bookings, reduced occupancy and cancelled functions, including weddings. Medical and veterinary appointments were being missed and medical samples such as blood were being compromised.
‘We are all having to consider allowing several additional days for journeys which should take hours,’ said Mr Eggleston. ‘This is leading to some asking whether they can continue operating from Alderney.’
All of this could be ‘ruinous to our economy’, he added, and this at a time when the population and the number of pupils at St Anne’s were slowly rising.
‘We have built up a sound economic platform, but loss of confidence within air transport could jeopardise this.’
The conclusion was not just a question of whether or not Aurigny could operate a service, it was if the island could depend on that service, he said.
‘The future economic and social wellbeing of Alderney depends upon reliability and confidence.’
Aurigny’s chief commercial officer Philip Saunders said the airline recognised that service levels with the Skybus Twin Otter arrangements were falling short of expectations.
‘We are focusing on addressing Skybus’s performance on the routes, resolving continued challenges relating to crew recruitment and training, and ensuring that all necessary measures are taken to deliver reliable service for the islanders of Alderney,’ he said.
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