Aurigny schedule could "devastate" Alderney

Friday 27 December 2019

Aurigny's newly released summer schedule could decimate Alderney visitor numbers because of the significantly reduced number of direct UK flights, businesses have warned.

The schedule amounts to 7,000 fewer seats on the Southampton route between May and October.

Just two rotations will take place to Southampton per day even during Alderney Week, which in the past has had more than six flights on and off the Island. The root cause of the reduced schedule is the fact that from February Aurigny will have only one aircraft and one crew plying the Alderney routes.

The other Dornier will be kept as spare. The third aircraft, G-Longis, needs a new wing, costing around 500,000. Aurigny has said it won't invest the money until the outcome of the Public Service contract (PSO) is known. The changed timing of the Southampton flights has also caused dismay.

Pictured: Aurigny CEO Mark Darby. The airline has been engaging with the States as part of a PSO to operate Alderney's air links, but the process fell through the first time around and left the island's future in limbo. 

Both the last outgoing and incoming flight from Southampton have been brought forward by one hour and 30 minutes, meaning the last UK flight out of Alderney is at 13:30 compared with the current 16:05 and the last flight from Southampton to Alderney is at 14:35 instead of 16:05, squeezing the amount of time people on day trips have to go to appointments or meetings.

After discussions with the States of Alderney and Guernsey, Aurigny has however added two extra rotations to Guernsey onto the daily schedule. Nigel Lawrence, Vice President of the Alderney Chamber of Commerce, said the changes to both timings and frequency of the Southampton flights could 'devastate' businesses on the island.

"It's a huge worry. It's now virtually impossible to go to a meeting in London and return in a day and it's impossible for people to come to Alderney for a day's work or a meeting, which they do regularly, especially in the financial service businesses here. In addition, a lot of elderly people have medical appointments in Southampton, especially for eye treatments. They will be forced to spend a night there now at their own expense.

"To a certain extent we have some sympathy because the PSO still isn't sorted out with the States of Guernsey. The length of time that has taken is disgraceful."

From the end of July, tourists, second home owners and residents' families pour into Alderney, and Alderney Week, held between 1-9 August this year, traditionally doubles the population of Alderney.

Pictured: Alderney Politician James Dent said they had stressed the need for a "three plane resolution". 

Many island businesses, from hotels and guesthouses and restaurants to gift shops, gardening and building firms rely on the summer influx to keep afloat. Those who come annually usually book flights as soon as they are released.

The lack of flights will cap tourist numbers and cause first time or occasional visitors to book holidays elsewhere.

"The few flights available will fill up very quickly and hotels and other accommodation will be immediately impacted by the limits on people who can get here,' said Mr Lawrence.  

"These are people who will be spending money on Alderney. Hopefully the extra Guernsey rotations could ameliorate the impact. But most of Alderney's second home owners are from the south of england and depend upon the direct Southampton route. They want to get in and out of Alderney quickly, especially if visiting for a short period.' Alderney representative Steve Roberts said he would lobby politicians in Guernsey to repair the 'rundown' service.

"This service cannot be run on two aircraft. We will be down to one aircraft even more than we have been this year, when three were supposedly available.  Aurigny has gradually downgraded the Alderney service over the past two years. Aurigny has no commitment to the Alderney service and it's about time the States of Guernsey recognized this.

"I've asked the States of Alderney to write a strong letter to the States of Guernsey signed by every single Alderney States member in order to show how united we are on this matter." Policy and Finance Committee Chairman James Dent said that in the last meeting with the CfED on the PSO, Alderney States Members had 'stressed the need for a three plane solution' and the need to retain the Southampton link.

Two of the three shortlisted PSO applications – the other is Aurigny - are reported to be start up airline operations, based in the Bailiwick. This means that at present they lack the licences required to operate in and out of the UK. No decision has yet been on the preferred bidder according to Policy and Resources.

Pictured top: An Aurigny Dornier.