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The proposed redevelopment of Alderney's airport and runway has prompted an influx of opinion and commentary on the plans.
Here Express explores what the plans entail, why some people are so keen for them to be progressed and why others are opposing them.
Alderney Airport's terminal building was built in 1968.
The building has both an arrivals and departure lounge, with limited facilities beyond those very basics.
Quirky? Yes. Suitable for 21st century aviation? No.
Pictured: Alderney's airport terminal building, hangars and runway.
Alderney's main runway is mainly asphalt construction - it is known to have many potholes, as shown to members of the public recently.
Alderney also has two secondary runways which are both grass.
Proponents of the redevelopment say both the terminal building and the runway need high levels of investment to ensure their viability, safety, and suitability for the future operations of Alderney's air services.
The policy letter proposing the rehabilitation of Alderney Airport’s runway describes them as "a critically important investment in Guernsey and Alderney’s future".
The Guernsey to Alderney route has been designated as a lifeline route, essential for social and economic well-being in Alderney and therefore "this vital connectivity is a Bailiwick issue".
The States of Guernsey are required to provide critical infrastructure under the 1948 agreement which saw Alderney Airport brought under the control of Guernsey Airport to provide year-round services.
Guernsey's Policy and Resources Committee and the States Trading Supervisory Board have jointly proposed a £24million project to redevelop both the airport buildings and the runway.
The option proposed for States debate in Guernsey is known as 'Option C+'.
This includes resurfacing, widening, extending and strengthening the existing asphalt runway, as well as constructing a new terminal and refurbishing the airport fire station.
Option C+ can be read in full HERE.
Pictured: Alderney's runway.
The total cost of the proposed work to the terminal buildings and the runway is estimated to be around £24 million.
It has been noted that already far exceeds the £12m the States of Guernsey had agreed to pay during a previous debate on Alderney's Airport in 2019. At that time the quote was to resurface and widen the runway, while the current proposals include extending and strengthening the runway as well as the proposed rebuild of the terminal buildings.
Guernsey Policy & Resources Committee and STSB say the additional cost could be offset by operational savings, and therefore both are suggesting the States back the new plans.
The cost of replacing the terminal and refurbishing the fire station is estimated at around £4.5 million if done separately, so P&R and STSB say that doing the work now will "equip the airport to meet the additional requirements for handling larger aircraft, and therefore unlock the potential benefits that can be achieved through a runway extension".
The 1948 agreement, which means Guernsey Airport is responsible for Alderney Airport, means around £2million per year is spent on the smaller island's facilities.
It is now suggested that yearly subsidy could be reduced by around £800,000 a year if larger aircraft can fly to Alderney using a new longer runway.
While taxpayers money will be spent on the airport redevelopment it is worth noting that all income tax collected in Alderney is paid directly to the States of Guernsey. Alderney is then issued a budget redistributed back to the island via Guernsey's annual Budget.
How long is a piece of string?
This past week Express has been inundated with comments from island officials and residents in Alderney who are hoping the long-awaited work to the airport and runway is approved.
This includes the States of Alderney, the Chamber of Commerce, States Member Steve Roberts, States Member Alex Snowdon, States Member Ian Carter, and members of the public who have contacted us including Dino Simeone who said he speaks for many others when he says that if the airport isn't redeveloped then "young families will leave, potential new residents will be deterred, tourism will reduce, and the ageing population will increase. With these factors, island income will decline and a greater dependence on Bailiwick funding will become customary."
Pictured: Numerous opinion pieces, letters to the editor, or comments have been sent to Express regarding the Alderney Airport proposals.
The number of public comments against the work is so far running well behind the number of people speaking out in favour of the work, however one voice claims to represent that of many others.
Ralph Burridge is a former politician and pilot and said there are a significant number of Alderney residents who do not believe a word they are being told.
His concerns centre around whether the work is proposed for the benefit of the populace of Alderney or for the benefit of Aurigny.
He is not the lone voice against the plans though. Although the proposals have been jointly submitted by P&R and STSB, two of the five members of P&R are not in favour.
Deputies Heidi Soulsby and Jonathan Le Tocq are the two members of P&R opposed to the plans.
The proposals have been lodged with the States of Guernsey, for debate by the States of Deliberation which is made up of 38 Deputies elected by the people of Guernsey, and two Alderney States Members who are elected by the people of Alderney before being elected to represent their island in Guernsey too.
Alex Snowdon and Steve Roberts are the current States of Alderney Representatives in the States of Guernsey.
The proposals have been lodged for a future debate - which is likely to be in November.
In the meantime, the States of Guernsey have to debate the 2023 Budget (1 November), and the proposals for new tax systems are due out in November, for debate in January.
Other matters are also already lodged for future debates which could impact the finances of both islands the secondary pensions proposals and the long-term care insurance ordinance.
Opinion: "no other compromise should be considered"
Opinion: What are the consequences if we remain as we are?
Opinion: "The response was overwhelmingly in favour"
Opinion: Open letter to deputies ahead of Alderney runway debate
Extending runway "win-win" but P&R split on £24m plans
Alderney runway policy letter expected by end of the year
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