More questions to answer on Aurigny

Thursday 24 October 2019

The States body with responsibility for Aurigny has been handed a list of questions to answer, as concern continues to grow over its ever increasing losses.

Deputy Neil Inder has taken up the mantle with 16 'Rule 14' questions aimed at the President of the States Trading Supervisory Board.

Under States rules, Rule 14 questions have to be answered, in writing, within 14 days, meaning Deputy Peter Ferbrache has until early next month to reply. 

The airline, and STSB, are already under pressure this week, after Economic Development President, Deputy Charles Parkinson, wrote an open letter calling for Aurigny's board to adapt, saying he doesn't know how the airline is losing so much money.

Now, Deputy Inder has lodged his Rule 14 questions, asking among other things:

• How frequently does the States’ Trading Supervisory Board request Aurigny’s financial reports and forecasts, and formally meet with Aurigny to discuss their financial reports and forecasts.
• How the reported increase in Aurigny’s losses have been accounted for?
• Has Aurigny lost any handling contracts during 2018-19?
• What was the business objective for Aurigny moving to operate on (a) the Jersey-Guernsey route, and (b) the Southampton-Guernsey route. 
• What were the overall remuneration packages including any additional payments for the Chairman, CEO, Finance Director and Commercial Director of Aurigny in 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively; and the overall remuneration and any additional payments for the three non-executive directors of Aurigny in 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively?

Deputy Inder says his questions relate to "the tax payer owned and funded airline Aurigny", and are addressed to the President of the States’ Trading Supervisory Board, "who, in effect, own Aurigny on behalf of, you, the taxpayer".