mattc56410, Jerbourg, and five zero by ortac, I think even Mark Darby would agree that the transition to Dorniers has been far less smooth than anyone would have wanted. Delays have been hugely talked up by the media and on-time performance in ACI remains at 85%+ (see CAA figs.), incl weather-related delays/canx (which continue to comprise the bulk of disruption). But clearly Alderney has not been able to *rely* on a good service in the last year, and that isn't good enough. It shouldn't have to wait for a good service. So, for instance, scrapping FTSE rather than sending her up to Cumbernauld for annual/overhaul on the assumption of the on-time arrival of CS-TGG and D-ILFM was (to my very basic understanding - happy to be corrected) a mistake.
But it's no fault of GR that BN2 spares have evaporated. Loganair has had some parts on order from Britten-Norman (some parts unavailable from other suppliers) for more than two years, and Skybus has experienced similar problems. UK police forces have had to ground their Islanders due to a lack of spares. So the big tech delays in Ald in November aren't because of some great negligence. (Incidentally, if you can't trust B-N to get you a spare pitot head then God knows how you can trust them to build you a 'new' Tris... ignoring the endless regulatory impossibilities of the idea under EASA OPS.)
Kcockayne, NewquayJacob, and Feet on ground, in the Scilly Isles, which have far higher volumes of traffic to pay fixed costs, air fares are roughly double to/from ACI (a basic rate of £160 return to/from Land's End, equivalent to the run to Guernsey, or closer to £300 return to/from Newquay/Exeter/Bristol). A delegation who came to Alderney to share their ideas/experiences of making small island life work last year went home with their tongues hanging out. Orkney and Shetland inter-island fares are only dirt-cheap (and, at that, only thus for residents) because the SNP is the beneficiary of a wonky Barnett formula which funds the Air Discount Scheme.
Kcockayne, I often enjoy your observations but you are quite, quite wrong to suggest that Aurigny is near bankruptcy or anything of the sort. It has just been recapitalised by the States and has been restructured by new management such that the core business is close to break-even (besides fleet acquisition and route development costs, which create huge value beyond the firm itself). So we won't be seeing £25m of debts on the books again; and besides, even if we did it would make a great deal of sense for it to be on the States'; firstly, it's taxpayers' money and basic principles of good governance dictate that they should thus be allowed to vote on how it's spent. Secondly, the interest rate for States borrowing is almost by definition superior to any private facility with the Royal Bank of Scotland (which until recently was Aurigny's main means of short-term liquidity), so because it's in the interest of the airline, the States and the taxpayer to get the lowest rate it should – much like Network Rail in the UK – find its debts on government books.
Three things will improve the situation. The arrival of G-OAUR, now in its final stages of acceptance, will inevitably transform the resilience of the Alderney services. The agreement with Lydd Air to provide short-term tech cover with two Piper Navajos, although obviously not a long-term solution, should save the island from the sort of delays which have bugged the service this year. Finally, the MoU and – eventually – PSO which will enshrine the basis and remit of Aurigny's Alderney service in law is going to change things a lot. Why? Because it will stop them from having to serve two masters: the people of Alderney and the profit motive.
When one simple notion is enshrined in law – the idea that this airline's value exists far beyond that of its bank balance – we will start to see progress.
Last edited by Aero Mad; 22nd Jan 2016 at 16:45.