GUERNSEY’S International Business Association is supportive of the island’s runway works – but it is surprised about the way the consultation is taking place.

Chairman Paul Meader said the current discussion was only about dates for shutting the runway rather than whether closure was appropriate in the first place.

‘The emphasis in the autumn of last year was for night-time working only and no closures,’ he said yesterday.

‘It will be difficult to viewed as a sophisticated and mature international finance centre when our air links are out of action for days at a time, whether that involves business travel, mail or freight.’

The airport could close for up to eight days, in four two-day periods, next year and the year after when the runway is upgraded.

Most of the work will take place overnight but reconstructing the western end of the runway, installing runway crossings for surface water drains and removing material close to the runway strip will require the airport to close, Public Services has already said.

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