Without excellent connectivity business will look elsewhere

It was stated in the Press that York Aviation was against a longer runway, but their report states:

1. Airport users could benefit from lower air fares

2. Major beneficiaries would be Islanders

3. Extension could lead to more off island spending. Please explain meaning.

They claim that Aurigny would lose £25m. a year. My view is that the States would save between £15 to £25m. a year of Aurigny losses when Aurigny either goes, or is used to service Alderney, and perhaps an air taxi service to Jersey. York Aviation states that much of the passenger traffic of a low-cost carrier would be cannibalised from existing air services and Ferries/Condor could do with some awakening.

I did read somewhere that Aurigny was about to dispose of the Embraer 195 jet. Some time ago I received a copy of a report from BAE Systems on the possible extension of the Guernsey Airport runway.

The report stated:

‘The current situation in Guernsey is that, while little significant growth is anticipated in the passenger demand at the airport, some influence is becoming evident through the strategies of other significant airports served from Guernsey. The current aircraft fleet operating through the airport contains a high proportion of turboprop aircraft. While these have relatively light runway requirements and are, in many respects, ideal for the type of activity at Guernsey, they are becoming less desirable at major airports. This is primarily due to their combination of high runway occupancy time and low passenger capacity, which is regarded as a hindrance to business at high capacity airports. The perceived view is that air travel to and from Guernsey could become limited to small, or regional, airports unless some effort is made to allow an adjustment to the mix of aircraft using the airport. This change in travel options will incur additional complications for business travellers requiring access to primary business centres. The cumulative effect of this process could be a disaffection of business with Guernsey as a principle base.’

When it happens, debate on a proper runway needs to be well informed and with decision makers focused on what the Island needs, not on their own preconceptions.

Without excellent connectivity, fares people can afford and an airport that can accommodate the most popular passenger jets, business will simply look elsewhere. Jersey has already benefited from our runway issues.

I cannot forget the words of Deputy Neil Inder describing Aurigny. He said, ‘as a functioning airline it just seems like an errant teenager, it goes off, runs around, says I lost my money and we just hand it out without any real scrutiny. We ask them where they spent it and they won’t tell us’.

It is unlikely that the extension could be completed within three or four years. During this period Aurigny continued operations would be essential. At the same time, negotiations with new Airlines and Aurigny could take place to consider the strengths of all parties concerned.

TOM CASTLEDINE