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Peter Bachmann is a campaigner for the extension of Guernsey's runway and is a member of the Guernsey Aviation Action Group (GAAG). He has recently written to all deputies expressing his concern about the future of aviation in the island...
"Dear Chief Minister, Please find below a web address for a recent article in the Jersey Evening Press, with huge relevance for us in Guernsey, relating to a recent release from Matt Thomas, Chief Executive of Ports of Jersey. You’ll need a strong stomach because it is at the same time hugely invigorating but also highly depressing.
It is invigorating because of the enthusiasm and drive for progress which comes through in every paragraph.
Depressing because of the light it shines on the pathetic incompetence and defeatism Guernsey is bringing to our Tourism debate headed by the misnomered Committee of Economic Development (CofED).
- You can read the article Mr Bachmann is referring to HERE.
How I wish we had in Guernsey someone of the obvious calibre and foresight of Matt Thomas to drive forward our aviation policy because every word of the article resonates with the vision for which we should be striving.
Look at the photograph in the article. Ten aircraft in one small section of Jersey airport. Seven Jets and three propeller driven from four different airlines including BA, EasyJet and Jet2. The article celebrating the start of a scheduled service by EasyJet from Jersey to Amsterdam.
Pictured: The photograph Mr Bachmann refers to.
Jersey didn’t get to this position in five minutes and neither can Guernsey.
Some years ago Jersey had the foresight to negotiate with the likes of BA and EasyJet to find out what they technically needed to develop the Jersey airport. To date even though Policy & Resources has received letters in 2019 from BA and EasyJet expressing interest in flying a scheduled service to Guernsey, the CofED President has made no senior level contact with them even on an exploratory basis to understand their interest.
The article in yesterday’s Guernsey Press by the economist Dr. Andy Sloan was a massive wakeup call. Income from our finance industry had fallen, yes fallen every year over the last decade and looks likely to continue doing so. This is a developing catastrophe threatening the very foundation of our Island life where growth in the Island’s GDP is fundamental to our very survival.
Deputy Inder’s response to growing our GDP is to appoint a part time Chair person only two days a month, in order to develop our second major industry Tourism.This is contrary to the strenuous objections of the Guernsey Hospitality Association who wish to see the States of Guernsey take Tourism seriously and implement the Beecham report which recommended a full time head of Tourism plus support executives.
Pictured: Deputy Neil Inder.
Deputy Inder then went on to announce that his committee would not be recommending the lengthening of the Guernsey airport runway contrary to the specific recommendations of two economic surveys commissioned by the SofG. Bothsurveys forecastthe result of extending the runway was worth hundreds of millions of pounds of GDP income growth to the Bailiwick economy.
Deputy Inder is aware that the likely cost of the runway extension has now been reduced to circa £15M.
If we continue with this current level of foresight, competence and enthusiasm at government level how are we ever going to find the resources to fund a modern caring society to which we all aspire.
With kind regards from an increasingly worried Guernseyman.
Peter Bachmann
