UPDATE: Airport forecourt reopened, safety survey underway

Tuesday 18 December 2018

Guernsey Airport has reopened its forecourt, after it had to temporarily close it due to a danger that roof panels above the building's exits might fall down.

It will now conduct a survey of the roof to find out if any "longer term modifications" are needed to make the Airport safer.

The panels had become loose because of the direction and speed of the wind today, the decision was made to shut off the front of the terminal before anyone was hurt.

The cordon around that danger zone was then removed at 11:45, but a survey is now being done to find out if any more permanent repairs are needed to the roof as a whole, what that would cost, and also if bigger changes are needed to make the entire building safe in the future. 

A Guernsey Airport Spokesperson said: "Guernsey Airport reopened the forecourt in front of the passenger terminal at 11:45 after it was closed as a precautionary measure earlier this morning.

"Guernsey Airport had closed the forecourt area, as there could have been a risk of a couple of external roof panels above the departures entrance falling, due to the direction and the speed of the winds today. We thank the Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service for the use of its turntable ladder to examine the affected panels and to temporarily repair them to make the area safe for public use."

Members of staff were on site to direct passengers and other terminal users on what exactly they should have done while the area was closed.

At the time, the Airport issued a statement saying: "Passengers, business partners, and terminal users should follow any instructions from airport staff on-site while this incident is being dealt with.

"Air passengers are being asked to use the main car park instead. The bus stop and taxi ranks have been temporarily relocated."