Fears airport closure would 'cut off' island

A pilot and flying instructor has expressed concerns over plans for a £24m project to reconstruct an airport runway.

The proposed work involves resurfacing and realigning the main asphalt runway in Alderney, along with the taxiway and runway, with a tendering process to begin depending on the outcome of a States debate expected to take place in February.

Guernsey officials warned Alderney Airport may need to close for an "extended period" to complete the scheme in the shortest time - work could start in 2027.

Chris Blythe, Alderney resident and pilot and flying instructor, said he was concerned about the possibility of the airport closure which would be "brutal" and leave islanders "cut off".

Blythe said: "The main runway in Alderney is not very good, in light aircraft it doesn't really matter that much but for commercial aircraft it needs to be better than that."

He added passengers deserved to have a runway which was up to specification and met minimum legal requirements.

The proposed scheme involved the reconstruction of the asphalt runway, keeping it at its current length, but widening it from 18m (59ft) to 23m (75.45ft) to meet minimum aerodrome design standards.

Blythe added he believed the change "was always going to be the only option".

"I think the previous proposal to extend it and put ATRs in was ludicrous and I think anybody who knew much about aviation probably came to that conclusion," he said.

With regards to the possibility of the airport closure Blythe said: "I think it's going to be pretty brutal for the people on the island to be cut off and there's been nothing said yet about how we would get to Guernsey or the mainland."

He added: "From the point of view of the people who will be working on the project, there's going to be a whole load of workers... who are going to be trapped on the island with us."

The States of Guernsey had previously said an extended closure of the airport may be needed to ensure the work was completed in the shortest and most cost effective way.

If this was needed notice would be given and arrangements would be made to provide alternative travel, including for emergency medical evacuations, it said.

Blythe added the closure would also have an impact on the hospitality sector.

He said for a many in Alderney "getting off by air is prohibitively expensive anyway so for them it's almost going to be no change but the hospitality businesses will have a big issue".

"I do feel summer of 2027 will be a very different summer and one that Alderney's never experienced before," he added.

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