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Planned work to upgrade facilities at Guernsey Airport could be split into phases with part of it delayed, until after the longer term impact of the covid-19 pandemic on air travel is more fully understood.
Work to bring in an upgraded luggage screening system was already underway before the global pandemic took hold.
Part of the proposals, which were first released last year, included plans for two new baggage scanning machines.
The wider multi million pound project was also intended to see the conveyor belts and luggage carrousels modified with an extension to part of the airport terminal building to house the new equipment.
In total the project would have cost £12million, with hundreds of thousands needed in initial costs to get the preparation work done with consultants and survey fees.
The initial proposals asked for £150,000 from the Ports Holding Account, and the rest of the money to come from the States' Capital Reserve.
With the Bailiwick's finances having taken a big hit after the islands were forced into lockdown, and with the States agreeing to borrow an initial £250million to fund the recovery strategy, other projects are now at risk from losing their funding.
Pictured: The covid response has been led by the Civil Contingencies Authority.
The proposed work to upgrade the luggage screening facilities at Guernsey Airport is due to be debated by the States next week.
The initial proposals were lodged by the States' Trading Supervisory Board.
It called for the system to be upgraded, with delegated authority given to the Policy and Resources Committee to increase the capital vote for the project, to a maximum of £12.0 million, subject to P&R approving the Full Business Case.
Now, Deputies Peter Ferbrache and Jonathan Le Tocq want the proposals amended, to split the project into two distinct phases, including an element aimed at using local construction firms to do the work.
The pair have said the phased option "provides a more scaled and phased implementation" and would ensure that "Guernsey Airport can meet the relevant mandated security standard in a short timeframe, however it will not provide any additional baggage processing capacity when compared to the current throughput".
Referencing the pandemic and the impact on the Bailiwick's and the global economy, the amendment says:
"...it is not currently possible for funding to be made available within the Ports Holding Account or to service a loan. Therefore, given the strategic importance of maintaining connectivity for the Island’s recovery and, as the review and prioritisation of all capital projects will shortly be undertaken as part of Recovery, the Policy & Resources Committee supports the proposal to fund Phase One from the Capital Reserve.
"Phase Two comprises elements of the project necessary if passenger numbers were to increase, as was factored into the project ahead of the Covid-19 pandemic. The long-term impact of the pandemic on air travel demand however, is not yet understood. It could be considered to be premature to commit to this work at this time before the full impact on post-pandemic air travel is understood and the role of travel and tourism as part of the recovery planning has been confirmed. Therefore, this amendment allows for Phase Two to be reviewed and prioritised at the appropriate time in the context of the States’ wider portfolio and the Island’s recovery strategy and future planning."
Both STSB and P&R have said they support the amendment which will be debated next week.
Pictured top: Guernsey Airport.
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