Operation Raven: Airport to prepare for passenger aircraft emergencies

Sunday 13 October 2019

An exercise to simulate a major emergency with a passenger aircraft is being run at the Airport today, with all of the island's blue light services set to take part.

Operation Raven is set to test and simulate how the island would deal with an emergency incident involving a commercial passenger aircraft.

It will see the Airport Fire and Rescue Service, Guernsey Airport staff, St John Ambulance Guernsey and staff from the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service, Guernsey Police, Civil Protection Volunteers, and airline staff all taking part.

The exercise will today, 13 October, between 09:00 to 13:00. 

Guernsey Airport said it was grateful for the airline's and other operators for their co-operation and assistance in accommodating the emergency exercise, which will inform future emergency planning. It will test current policies and practices on how the island deals with such an incident in a simulated environment.

"This exercise is designed to put our emergency policies and procedures to the test and to check the island’s response with an incident involving aircraft," the General Manager of Ports in Guernsey, Colin Le Ray, said.

"Thankfully, emergency incidents involving aircraft are rare but they can happen. Public safety is our highest priority and this emergency exercise will inform how Guernsey Airport and the emergency services respond to a future incident. Neighbours of Guernsey Airport may notice increased noise activity from emergency service vehicles, and we ask for their patience and understanding during this time.”

Pictured top: Guernsey Airport.