 Guernsey airport's runway is too short for budget airlines' jets |
Planners need to assess the long-term prospects for the aviation industry before opting for a longer runway at Guernsey airport. This is the view of Dr Nigel Dennis, a fellow of the Transport Studies Group at the University of Westminster.
He says economic pressures are mounting on airlines.
A report into the airport by British Aerospace consultants says the runway needs to be extended at a cost of �20m to sustain the needs of the island over the next 25 years.
But Dr Dennis says the industry faces an uncertain future.
Public funds
He said: "We see two main developments taking place in the European airline industry.
"Regional airlines are moving from turboprops to jets.
"But Guernsey could not cope with the current runway.
"Budget airlines also use bigger planes like the Boeing 737, but they could not land at Guernsey."
He said the �20m cost would have to be subsidised with public funds.
"In the long term Guernsey may find a declining market if it does not extend the runway."
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