AN ECONOMIC assessment of Guernsey’s airport development options by leading consultants York Aviation also includes a serious analysis of the value of the facility to the island – and the community’s dependence on it.

The work, requested by the Policy Council, is invaluable in quantifying what a significant island asset it is, supporting the equivalent of 650 full time jobs and generating more than £31m. a year.

A by-product of the report is also to highlight how disruptive any interruption to the airport’s smooth running is. Quite apart from ruined holidays, lost business trips and deals, the direct cost of the May industrial action which closed it was in excess of £85,000 a day.

While York Aviation was primarily looking at the urgently-needed repairs to the runway and pavements, it also considered the perennial problem of whether an extension is needed.

Its unequivocal conclusion is, not yet but start planning for one.

That will not play well with the anti lobby, many of whom live in the area, and that is understandable. However, from a community and a strategic viewpoint, it makes clear sense to start planning for an extension in the probability that it will be needed in the longer term, say 10 to 15 years’ time.

The report also does two other things.

Firstly, it makes it plain that ensuring the runway is adequate for airlines to service key destinations is an overriding need for Guernsey.

Secondly, it effectively puts on notice all those who might be affected by further airport development that something they might not like is a distinct possibility.

That has to be welcome clarity for land and property owners caught up in the ‘will we, won’t we?’ current state of affairs.

The timescale, too, ought to help foster a greater sense of acceptability to any objectors.

York Aviation, which has carried out work for London City, Derry, Edinburgh, Gdansk and Stansted  Airports, actually has a rather blunt message on future development at Guernsey Airport:

Whatever needs to be done, will be done – because Guernsey cannot afford not to.