She's already spent seven years as an Air Traffic Services Assistant, and qualified as an Air Traffic Control Officer at Guernsey Airport in 1998.

Mrs. Jeffreys said she was very pleased about her new job and she is already looking firmly to the future.

“I’m delighted to be recognised in this way," she said. "Air Traffic Control Services perform a vital function in aviation safety and managing the skies locally and around the World. I want to maintain and build upon the high standard of service our customers receive from Guernsey and Alderney Airports on a daily basis by our controllers and support staff."

Pictured: Guernsey Airport. 

Among her plans for the future, Mrs Jeffreys wants to ensure the highest standards are set by air traffic control in Guernsey and she wants to offer even more training opportunities than are currently available. 

"The transition for the Guernsey Air Traffic Control Service to meet standards and achieve certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will be my immediate priority. This work is vital for the future of aviation in the Bailiwick, and has involved a large amount of staff input at Guernsey and Alderney Airports, and will govern how the service is regulated locally from 2019.

"I also want to maintain and extend the training opportunities for people resident in the Bailiwick who want to work in Air Traffic Control. To become a controller requires a certain skillset but our successful track record over the last few years, with training our own controllers, has shown us there are the skills on island and we will continue to build on this success.”

Mrs Jeffreys' has been appointed to her role with the full backing of her predecessor, with Mr McMeiken saying that she will help ensure the airports meet the robust new standards she has her in her sights.

“I am confident that Leah will do an excellent job as my successor at Guernsey Airport, assisting the Airport in achieving EASA certification, which will set robust new standards for Air Traffic Control Services locally from 2019.

"I wish Leah and her team all the very best for the future at Guernsey and Alderney Airports," said the outgoing Manager of Air Traffic Control Services, Mr McMeiken.

Pictured: Alderney Airport.

Head of Aviation Services for Guernsey and Alderney Airports Ash Nicholas said he was really pleased with Mrs Jeffreys’ appointment as the new Manager of Air Traffic Control Services for Guernsey and Alderney Airports.

"Our transition to EASA regulation will be crucial to the future success of the Bailiwick’s airports. Leah fully understands the demands and importance of Air Traffic Control Services in Guernsey and Alderney, and I am sure she will use her frontline experience to take on the service in the future.

"I would like to pay tribute to Frank McMeiken’s contribution and service to the Airport. Frank has seen many challenges and developed the service to what it is today, and has thoroughly earnt his retirement.”

Mrs Jeffreys will take up her appointment on 11 January 2019 and she will be responsible for leading Bailiwick Air Traffic Control Services into the future.

Pictured top: Leah Jeffreys.