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A new airline - Air Alderney - has announced that it will start flying "in the very near future" and that its services will include scheduled flights on the Alderney-Jersey route.
An Air Alderney Islander aircraft was at Alderney Airport over the weekend and islanders were invited to "come [and] say hello if you see the team around the island".
Now Air Alderney has released a statement to say that it is "in the final process of settling the agreements necessary for a scheduled air service to give you the connectivity you deserve, beginning in the new year with return flights to Shoreham [Brighton City Airport] from Alderney".
Air Alderney says that its Alderney-Shoreham route will initially be a charter service before it expands onto the Channel Islands' route.
"After we have successfully launched our initial operation, we will be focusing on implementing a second route to operate scheduled flights between Alderney and Jersey," said the company. "We believe these two routes together will offer you the best options for onward journeys, connecting family and friends, business, and much, much more.
"We will be in touch very soon with more information regarding further details on how to charter a flight, the frequency of our scheduled flights and our competitive prices. We look forward to seeing you onboard soon."
Air Alderney's latest announcement follows years of preparations to launch services and disagreements with government about applications for air route licences.
Pictured: An Air Alderney aircraft was in Alderney at the weekend and the company has now announced further plans to commence air services shortly.
Meanwhile, the States of Alderney are making preparations for a ferry service between Alderney and Guernsey for the 2022 season. They are inviting expressions of interest on a no-commitment basis.
Ideally, they would like the service to consist of two rotations daily for a minimum of five days a week, including Fridays and Saturdays, to encourage overnight stays in Alderney.
They hope the ferry service will operate from the last weekend in May until the end of September.
Steve Roberts, a member of the States of Alderney and an Alderney Representative in Guernsey's States of Deliberation, said this was a crucial time for travel links to and from Alderney and that he was optimistic about his island's future.
“Alderney is approaching a crossroads in both connectivity and economic recovery,” said Mr Roberts. "But I am more optimistic than I have been for years in the future of our Bailiwick.
"The ferry tenders are out and I hope to see a boat with capacity for at least 40 passengers. That would be my personal wish.
"Air Alderney is planning to start its routes soon. Of course we have waited some considerable time to see what would happen with their services, but I hope they are successful."
Mr Roberts reiterated his long-standing calls for a longer runway at Alderney Airport.
"The key driver for connectivity and economic recovery is a longer runway," he said. "For two reasons: first, it would ensure an Aurigny service between Alderney and Guernsey beyond the PSO [Public Service Obligation], which is not guaranteed as we stand; second, we need additional capacity to help our island grow - at the moment our capacity is stretched and fragile with only two aircraft."
Pictured: “I am more optimistic than I have been for years in the future of our Bailiwick", said States' member Steve Roberts.
Anyone interested in operating the ferry service is asked to indicate the regularity of the service proposed, the period covered, proposed fares, whether any additional assistance would be required to launch the service and any possible constraints on their operations.
Expressions of interest should be submitted to Jamie Laband, Project Support Officer at the States of Alderney, who can be reached by telephoning 01481 820021 or by email at jamie.laband@gov.gg
Information on Alderney Harbour and relevant marine legislation is available by email at harbour@alderney.gov.gg or by telephoning 01481 820070.
The closing date for expressions of interest is 5 December 2021.
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