This appears to be standard practice for Air Alderney, which has spent many years promising and then not launching scheduled services to Alderney. The info below did the rounds in the Channel Islands a few months ago; I make no guarantees as to the veracity of the below but it may be of interest.
- February 2017 – Air Alderney launched to the media by Julian Storey, a pilot formerly expelled from Croydon Council for failing to attend the minimum statutory number of meetings. During an “unexplained” period in absentia of three to six months, Mr Storey reportedly failed to respond to his Council colleagues and constituents, while still claiming £6,000 in expenses. He promises to operate scheduled flights by the end of the year.
- No company formed; services to be operated in association with Wessex Aviation, based in Kent, a company which restores vintage helicopters.
- October 2017 – Wessex still has not secured an Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from the CAA or Guernsey aviation regulator. Nevertheless, it promises to base its Turbo Islander, 2-BILL, in Alderney ‘in a matter of weeks’. Aircraft never enters service, nor is ever based in Alderney. Wessex announces flights to Lee-on-Solent without checking the airfield’s limitations first. CAA refuses to allow scheduled flights without installation of better lighting and navigation aids. Flights do not take place.
- End of 2017 – services do not begin. Mr Storey ceases to be involved with the concept around this time; Danny Brem-Wilson, Wessex’s owner, becomes the primary spokesperson for the concept.
- January 2018 – applies for and receives a freight licence between Alderney – Guernsey. Services never begin.
- February 2018 – applies for and receives route licences, using a Eurocopter EC155 helicopter belonging to Heli Holland. The company reports that “the above-mentioned helicopter visited Alderney and Guernsey in March, which sadly caused some anguish to the relevant authorities who are unaccustomed to accommodating this type of helicopter”. Promises to begin services to Jersey and Cherbourg ‘very soon’.
- April 2018 – services do not begin as promised. The company is still unable to obtain an AOC. Wessex blames delays on being unable to secure a check-in desk in Alderney, high charges in Jersey, and difficulties getting the right licences. It later gives up with trying to operate Turbo Islander aircraft and obtains the (standard) piston version.
- February 2019 – announces it will set up an Alderney Air Ambulance charity using a 40 year old Bolkow 105 helicopter. Criticises Air Rescue Channel Islands’ statement as to the importance of a joint project as ‘irresponsible’ and ‘extremely misleading’.
- June 2019 – registers an air ambulance charity in Guernsey, which continues to accept donations on its website long after the attempt to set up a working medevac service ceases. Announces air ambulance ‘very close to being in the air’. Charity wound up in 2021; no public statements since December 2019. £15,919 loan from Alderney Air Ambulance to Wessex Aviation Ltd shown in 2021 accounts.
- December 2019 – announces ‘commencement of operation in February 2020’. Later in December, Wessex realises that its route licences are no longer valid, because it failed to begin services on time. Danny Brem-Wilson, Wessex’s owner, blames the States for not reminding him.
- February 2020 – services do not begin. The company gives no further details.
- November 2021 – finally obtains an Air Operators Certificate, and begins charter work. Promises scheduled flights from Shoreham to Alderney ‘in the New Year’, but does not apply for the relevant route licences. Scheduled services do not begin.
- February 2022 – promises that scheduled services will begin ‘very soon’. Services do not begin. Applications still not made for necessary route licences.
- March 2022 – announces a Britten-Norman Trislander aircraft, formerly used in the Channel Islands, will be entering service in ‘Q4 2022’, despite no Trislanders flying outside South America and the Caribbean. Six examples of the 52 year old design remain airworthy in the world.
- April 2022 – criticises Alderney States members amid disruption to Alderney’s air services over Easter in a garbled public statement. “While Alderney burns its elected representatives are pointing finger at others whilst preventing an immediate solution.” The company has still to apply for any route licences.
- Early 2022 – Wessex begins campaigning against an extended runway for Alderney, despite its fleet being able to use the runway regardless of its length.
- October 2022 – services do not begin. No Trislanders on UK or Guernsey aircraft registers. No Trislander enters service. No scheduled routes, no outstanding route licence applications.
- October 2022 – Wessex invites all States of Guernsey Deputies to the ASG hangar in Guernsey, to view its Islanders and a new Tecnam P2012 aircraft, which it claims to own. The Tecnam is in fact owned by Orien Aviation, wholly owned by Edwin Brenninkmeyer. Mr Brenninkmeyer has no financial connections to Wessex Aviation.
- November 2022 – drops plans to operate Trislander.