£12M makeover proposed for Alderney Airport

A multi-million pound upgrade of Alderney Airport has been proposed to the States of Guernsey.

The project is expected to cost more than £12 million and would see essential repairs to the main runway, which was last resurfaced almost 20 years ago.

The States of Alderney have supported the recommended plans to reconstruct the main runway, restoring its original width of 23 metres and installing new lighting and drainage.

The Guernsey States says these improvements will result in fewer Alderney flights being cancelled or delayed.

The States’ Trading Supervisory Board (STSB) also considered extending the runway to accommodate larger aircraft but this was rejected because the benefits it could bring were not thought to justify the additional cost between £11.5 million and £19 million.

STSB President, Deputy Peter Ferbrache says this "remains an option for the future".

The States of Guernsey are now being asked to give approval for the STSB to spend up to £460,000 to progress the design with a specialist contractor to carry out the works and regulatory approval.

If approved, the contractor would be appointed by the end of next year with construction beginning in 2020.

The project would then be expected to be completed in the spring of 2021.