Rockhopper/Blue Islands (2004-08), Aurigny and JEA (both brief stints in the 1980s) all tried Alderney-Shoreham and all were lucky to break even. Le Cocq's/Rockhopper/BI (1999-2009), Alderney Air Ferries/Metropolitan (1979-85) and Aviation West/Air Camelot (1985-86) had slightly greater success to Bournemouth. Ultimately, as many have discovered but many also seem quickly to forget, the Alderney market is both small and extremely seasonal. Running an airline to support an island of 2,000 people doesn't ordinarily make much money on its own, which is why Aurigny started its first non-Alderney route (GCI-JER) - which really paid the bills - within two months of starting up.
The States of Alderney put out a statement yesterday noting that Air Alderney has yet to acquire any route licences. After four years of putting out statements with launch dates, and having fallen at the licence hurdle once before, this company seems brave to have done so again.