THE condition of the runway could be depriving the island of air links, it was claimed yesterday. The Guernsey Transport Users Committee is disappointed at the time it has taken to get a report on remedial work on the airport’s pavement, taxiways and apron before the States.
‘A runway extension would be desirable, though it’s not absolutely necessary, but we must upgrade what we have there already,’ said committee chairman, Hugh Bougourd.
He said that the airport should be able to accept aircraft such as the Boeing 737, which was the workhorse of short-haul flights.
‘The runway as it stands is limiting how many airlines can fly here,’ said Mr Bougourd.
‘For years we have spoken about charters from places such as Scandinavia and there must be a market for it.’
Flybe complained publicly this week because the condition of the runway prevented it operating its new Embraer 195, the replacement for the soon-to-be withdrawn BAe 146 jet.
Mr Bougourd said the issue was about more than just the Flybe situation, but the airline had done everybody a favour by again highlighting it.
Reports from two consultants, Halcrow and BAE Systems, had already gone before the States and a third, from RPS Burks Green, commissioned last year, is expected to go to the House this year.
‘How many reports are required before any action is taken is taken to ensure that our runway is capable of handling modern commercial and large private corporate aircraft?’ asked Mr Bougourd.
The situation was now serious and required urgent attention, he said.
‘To give a vague statement ‘from Public Services minister Bill Bell’ that proposals will be put before the States some time later this year is just not good enough.
‘From our local taxpayers’ point of view, it would be very interesting to know just how much has been spent on all these consultants’ reports to date.’
There was now investment in the hotel industry locally and if the States was serious about encouraging tourism and new airlines to operate here from new destinations, it needed to resolve the runway issue soon, he said.
* Commerce and Employment minister Stuart Falla said his department was currently in detailed negotiation with two or three parties regarding new air routes. He hoped something would come to fruition within the next two or three months but said further disclosure would breach commercial confidentiality.
Article posted on 12th January, 2008 - 12.00am
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