PSO process delayed again

Monday 21 October 2019

The winning bidder for the Alderney air routes is unlikely to be appointed until 'well into the new year' the island's residents have been told.

The States of Guernsey was originally expected to vote on the Public Service Obligation operator at the September meeting, following a decision on the preferred bidder by Economic Development.

A repeat PSO tendering process began in May this year after previous round failed to draw out any satisfactory propositions from any of the four bidders.

In an effort to attract a wider range of applicants, this time bidders have been able to specify whether they want to operate scheduled flight links or a medevac or both.

Another significant departure from the original process for the second PSO is that it now allows start up companies with no previous commercial aviation experience to tender.

Pictured: Aurigny was confirmed as an applicant to the first PSO process, but its bid was not suitable according to Economic Development. 

The scheduled timetable though has hit a number of bumps in the road. Economic Development is having to spend more time than forecast conducting due diligence on the applications. It has also emerged that new air operators who are based in the Channel Islands – and therefore in possession of only Channel Island Air Operators Certificate – will not, as Bailiwick law currently stands, be able to gain licensing to operate a commercial service to and from Southampton. Aurigny and Flybe are the only Channel Islands operators with the documentation to do so.

First the States debate was moved to the November meeting. Now resolution on the matter has reportedly been delayed until as late as next February.

A States spokesperson said: "Given the commercial nature of the PSO it's not possible to comment on it while it is ongoing." 

Pictured: Alderney Politician James Dent has been pushing for improvement to the island's air links. 

At Alderney's October People's Meeting Policy and Finance Committee Chairman James Dent was asked by States Member Alex Snowdon to provide an update on the PSO process.

Mr Dent said Economic Development had asked the bidding parties to provide further information about the services they could deliver and added that it now looked unlikely that their final decision would come before the States until February, he said.

"It now seems that this information will not be provided until late October and that the Committee for Economic Development will not be considering the matter until well into November," said Mr Dent. "This is all now beginning to look as if it won’t go to the States of Guernsey for a decision until well into the New Year."

He said it was not in the power of the States of Alderney to influence the speed or machinations of the process.

Pictured top: Right, Deputy Charles Parkinson, President of Economic Development, and left, James Dent, over an Aurigny Dornier, the current aircraft used to fly to Alderney.