ALDERNEY
 

An article in yesterday's Echo (Local paper for Southend area) suggests that a South Essex businessman has bid £10m to operate Alderney Airport.

Terry Holding who owns one of the largest car salvage companies in the country has offered to inject the money over a five year period with the intention of building a new terminal and up grading facilities in return for a long lease on the airport.

With current losses of approx. £0.5m per year the scheme is apparently being backed by the Guernsey authorities who are looking to enter into a joint venture with Mr. Holding.

Mr. Holding, who operates a Piper Cub and Cessna from his own airstrip, is well known in local aviation circles for his banner towing activities over south Essex with politically motivated messages.

If this happens, could it be the start of big developments on Alderney?

Cheers

Southender

GOOD NEWS
 

With blueisland having a good connection with Alderney with (Rockhopper) and the company will have four Jetstreams operating by the summer season, will Alderney have a runway a Jetstream will be able to operate into and out of????

If this was to be the case it would be very good news for this northern Channel Island they need tourism just like the other Islands.:ok: :ok:

Alderney is not big enough for the J32s. Also i dont believe there is the market to run a more expensive and complex aircraft out of alderney (ie. turboprop vs piston)

Golg Juliet Papa
 

I know Alderney is not long enough at the moment the Jetstream will only require a short extension.

If you have not operated into and out of Alderney you need to look up the information in the UK Aip on runway clearences as there are no real problems for a small extension.

The second part is that Blueislands own a hotel or two on Alderney and the possible extension to the runway would give the company a bigger field for there Hotel clientel.

We would hope all parties will work together to make this big investment into Alderney successful.:ok: :ok:

Alderney is a great place for short brakes walking golfing bird watching so there is great potensional for this big investment.

Alderney
 

News of a possible airfield operator for the airport is great news for Alderney. This place is like portacabin-city and needs new facilities urgently, something that the States of Guernsey don't want to provide.
Runway not long enough for J32 ops. However, recently heard talk of extending to 1200m and attempts are being made to acquire land at the east end of 26/08. Could all be linked with new operator?
Rockhopper (blueislands) are about to announce a much reduced schedule.:* Flights from Alderney to BOH, JER and Shoreham are all being cutback. Can't see why as their new hotel opens here this summer. :hmm:
Once again, a carrier is born in Alderney, then runs away to the other islands thinking they can make more money! :mad:

im sure rockhopper / bis will increase frequencys again during summer. however over winter there is simply no demand. An airline must cut back schedules when there is no demand, why fly a schedule which makes no money? I think the carrier will continue flying to alderney....possibly at a much greater schedule than before this summer. as well as flying the new (more profitable routes) out of jersey

Quote
 

Five Zero By Ortac.

You must be at the heart of all the goings on on the northern rock.

We all look back at the good old days but it is good to see an outsider willing to give Alderney a revival of the good old times ( We can live in hope)???.

If the runway extension is part of the multi million pound injection the Jetstream operation of Blue Islands would like a very good thing and who knows the one and only Shed (G-BPFN) could even participate on the Sou run.

With more parking for commercial aircraft in the plan it does imply more operations.:ok: :ok: :ok: :ok:

I would imagine that Healthspan's customers would much prefer to be able to fly to Alderney without going on a Trislander or Islander.

Blieislands Web
 

Shamrock7Seal

May i suggest you look at the Rockhopper thred and this might reveal all if you did not know this was there preveous life in aviation:ok:

Air Park in Alderney
 

Just been to a public meeting in Alderney where Mr Holdings' outline plans for the airport were unvailed. Very briefly, new terminal:ok: , fire station::bored: , atc;) , extended runway to 1200m:D , increased apron:) , payable car parking:{ , new hangar:ok: , and (much to the disgust of the general public - who presumably don't fly anywhere!!!:* ) an air-park consisting of 5-8 units with runway access to fund the exercise:rolleyes: . :ok: :ok: :ok: Good luck Mr Holding. Interesting times ahead.

I know little about Alderney, but I do know a fair bit about developing airports and what it costs to do so.
£10m will not cover half of what has been quoted by five by zero.
Once the airport is sold, the present owners get no income from it & I doubt that the States would let it be sold for nothing.

So before he can redevelop the airport, Mr Holding has to buy it, after which he has to fork out for:

New runway (it will probably have to be entirely rebuilt rather than extending) with basic lighting: £3m
New terminal and re equipped ATC facility & new Fire station £4m
New apron: £ 1- 2m
New hanger £ 1- 2m.
Costs of air park construction £1m.

Even in the best case scenario, the bill goes beyond £10m on facilities which I understand need upgrading now - not over the next five years - otherwise the airport will not attract new operators to get the financial return.


I am all for private enterprise and business success, but the people of Alderny should be asking some serious questions of Mr Holding's ability to sustain the investment and exactly where the money is coming from.
I assume that much of it will be borrowed, how will the debt be serviced until the new revenue starts flowing in?

Like many islands, the airport is a vital part of Alderny's infrastructure and they can't afford to lose the facility if the promises didn't materlialise.

Where Now
 

With the sad loss of a multi million pound investment in Alderney Airport what happen now.

The two Airlines that operate into Alderney must be very disapointed with the withdrawel of fundings.:sad: :sad:

Island airport bid abandoned
 

Terry Holding has withdrawn his offer of £10m to upgrade Alderney Airport.

According to the report in yesterday's Echo, the Islander's "hostile" reaction to his plans forced him to reconsider the proposal.

Apparently more than 200 residents attended a public meeting in Alderney where the mood was described as sceptical, hostile and lacking any enthusiasm or support for the development plans.

Mr Holding's company HBC continues to believe their proposals represent an opportunity to develop and secure the future of the Airport, but they are not prepared to impose themselves on the unwilling Islanders.

The Channel Islands' Public Sector Department is said to be disappointed that the proposal has been withdrawn as it was worthy of further consideration and represented an opportunity to safeguard the future of Alderney Airport.

The Public Services Department of the States of Alderney will be meeting shortly to consider the furure of the airport.

Cheers

Southender

What a suprise.

The island needs the airport, the airport needs the island.

Until the Channel Islands decide to ditch Alderney, the States will have an obligation to ensure that they maintain public services across the board.
If they are really feeling the pinch in Jersey because of Alderney Airport it's a very sad day which will be easily rectified by extracting another penney or so from the poor little dears who live there for tax reasons alone.:{

NikNak

Oh that it was the Jersey tax payer paying for Alderney airport!! I think you find it is us lot in Guernsey paying for it! Jersey has no financial connection with Alderney they are not connected.

Contrary to popular belief we don't have that many millionaires, most of us locals are just trying to make an honest living. Very few live in Guernsey for tax reasons, the UK killed most of that off years ago and th erest of us were born here.

Visit Alderney
 

Well said Guern

I do think before people make a comment they should try the product.

So Niknak you need to book your next brake not holiday and try out Alderney.

Not to many budget airlines go there for starters.

Not to many schedule passsenger ferries.

Not to many residents either so you could find out quickley about life on Alderney.

Have a nice weekend end or two. :ok: :ok:

Been to Alderney, and I'd quite happily go back there, but it was only for a week and that's no time at all to find out about what really goes on.
I guess I fell into the trap that many of us make in assuming that the Channel Islands are one when it comes to infrastructure, an easy mistake to make but I stand, very severely, corrected!:eek:

NikNak

Didn't mean to be severe just correct the misconception.

Update from todays Guernsey Press below. How can they reduce the loss without putting people from going there it would seem a difficult task to me.

"ALDERNEY Airport will not be developed unless another private investor comes in.
Unperturbed by the recent pull-out of millionaire ‘saviour’ Terry Holding, Public Services has announced it will seek other invitations for a public-private partnership.
The Alderney Working Party, which includes States members from both islands, met yesterday morning in Guernsey.
‘We still believe the only way in the imminent future that capital could be provided for development at Alderney Airport is through private hands – it’s very unlikely that the States of Guernsey is going to be in a position to allocate capital,’ said Public Services minister Bill Bell.
‘While Terry Holding suggested an across-the-board investment, it might well be that we have individuals and companies coming forward to develop hangars and the like separately. But we’re open to any suggestions. We’re really saying the door is open and if people have got any ideas, come and talk to us.’
In a statement issued jointly by Deputy Bell and Alderney States member John Postlethwaite, the party expressed disappointment that Mr Holding’s company, HBC, pulled the plug on a proposed £10m. investment due to public opposition.
‘The meeting noted that the master plan for Alderney Airport was about to be completed and that this would set into place an indication of how any development could be progressed,’ it added.
‘It is inevitable now that any such development will have to rely on private investment, given the severe constraints on public funding.’
The plan has been drafted and a completed report is expected in a few weeks. It will be made public and identify the best strategic use of land within the airport boundary and possible sites for future development opportunities.
‘Once the plan is finalised, invitations for private development will be sought. This method of public-private co-operation has worked successfully at Guernsey Airport over recent years, especially in respect of hangar development, and such opportunities could also exist for Alderney Airport.’
Individuals or companies with ideas are being invited to contact the Guernsey Airport director.
‘The Public Services Department remains concerned over the heavy subsidy required at Alderney Airport and will continue, in conjunction with its Alderney colleagues, to strive to find ways to reduce that subsidy. Work on additional income opportunities and controlling costs will continue as a matter of urgency.’
Alderney Airport runs at a loss of £500,000 a year and Mr Holding’s offer would have led to a new airport terminal, hangarage and a longer runway.


Published 4/3/2006"

Alderney
 

Hi all, any hope for more flights to/from Alderney to mainland destinations. Doubt it for the moment... you? Talk is that the States might subsidise more UK routes. But with an 880 metre runway, the 'biggies' can't do anything and so its up to Blue Islands, Aurigny, Manx2 and Loganair (erm... no.) to do something.

Wouldn't it be great to see Flybe operating routes out of here with franchise partner Loganairs Twin Otters. I wonder...?

At first glance to this idea, it seems that given the previous ventures that have been trialled from Alderney , I believe that both Aurigny and Blue Islands have trialled non inter-island flightsand settled at operating via Jersey or Geurnsey. Didn't Blue Islands operate a full channel island schedule out of Bournemouth, one route was Alderney 4x weekly, ceased in 2009. Another was Brighton Shoreham of all places??Any Logic in that?

I heard somewhere that theres a book coming out in the summer about the history of aviation on Alderney, which apparently covers upto the current time.Any use??
;)

....but where would they operate it to? I guess the ACI SOU route will continue to be the main link to the mainland and... GR have had that sown up for about 40 years!

Blue Islands dropped their Bournemouth route last year, much to the disgust of the local tourism industry.

The Shoreham route was quite nice, not least of which because quite a few people come from Kent and that area; the free parking was nice too.

There is always talk of extending the runway, but with a major conference centre being proposed this is more likely to happen than not.

The major issue is that the airport is managed by Guernsey (with Alderney tax money) so there is a complex maze of bureaucracy to any changes.

As it stands does anyone know what aircraft are capable of taking up slack from the Trislander?

Could an a/c make Alderney to say ORK or DUB? I would think an untapped market for the summer would be GCI/ALDERNEY to ORK or DUB.

Book e.t.c.
 

Hi all, it is me who is publishing the book this August - please PM me for more info. The Dornier 228 (good but islanders would raise eyebrows as is German) and new-build Twin Otters could take over from the Trislanders with no problems, and the up-and-coming GECI Skylander would also be ideal.

AeroMad,

maybe this one would soften the blow for the islanders - the empire version of the 228:

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited - Exports - Dornier 228

Looking forward to your book - who is the publisher?

Tri replacement e.t.c.
 

VB you're right - building under license and taking every opportunity to say 228 rather than the D word would probably work :E. Book is due out very early August with Amberley Publishing (I believe they are the fastest growing history publisher in UK). It will come to around 128 pages and is well illustrated with both colour and B&W images.

It covers the entire history of aviation in Alderney and also outlines the history of aviation in Guernsey and Jersey. There is a chapter on the Nazi occupation (1940 - 1945 as it is done in a straightforward chronological fashion) and also one on the future of the airport including Trislander replacements and possible airport expansion.

It is also available for pre-order on Ama:mad:on. Please would anyone tell me here if they order it as I like to keep track of demand. There should be a few reviews coming out soon in magazines such as Aeroplane Monthly and Aurigny's inflight magazine, En Voyage.

larger aircraft
 

would the dash 7 be able to land there?

it landed at Bembridge isle of white and they have an 800m runway same width as ACI i believe.

if not Dash 7, cant the Dash 8-100/200 make it work? They can land on grass/gravel strips in africa etc.

Dash series
 

Shamrock you are right, but it has to be remembered that an island of 2400 and a smaller tourist industry than the other islands cannot economically support Dash 7s and 8s - the load factors just wouldn't work.

They struggle to fill the Trislanders at times (especially in winter) and the only time of year a Dash 8 would be nice would be at Alderney Week when the Trislanders have to do about 12 rotations a day from Southampton :). However, the Dash 8-100 would need a few 100 metres more but I'm sure you could squeeze it in in an emergency.

With regards to failing mainland air links (on the part of Blue Islands), they could have done some advertising in the Brighton area - I never recall seeing any anywhere in Sussex! This would have got them many more passengers and possibly made the route sustainable. With regards to Bournemouth, I believe there was a little more to this than met the eye as they pulled the plug on Guernsey - Bournemouth as well. Shame really.

Wideroe in Norway operate off runways of 800m as part of their regular everyday situation. The shortest runway I believe is @780m. Atr, in accordance to certain specifications, can have atr 72-500's operate within 350 nm providing theres a low temperature at at sea level:bored::bored::bored:

Yeah I knew that Widerøe operated off very short runways, but you have to bear in mind that they are operating many PSO flights so load factors can be lower, resulting in a lower aircraft weight leading to the possibility of more extensive STOL operations :).

Upgrades would be needed to fire cover and security screening at Alderney if aircraft above 20 seats were to be used. This would require very significant investment which is unlikely to be forthcoming when the airport is already suffering from such a large deficit in its finances. I don't think any operations with Dash 8-100s, 328s or anything like it is in prospect any time soon!

That's what I was trying to say - with a short runway, little demand and higher CAT fire cover needed, what's the point? :\

Wasn't blue islands attemptin to gain licensing to operate to Bristol?? I think that the routes in question did include Alderney as well as Geurnsey but I think approval wasn't given

Bristol
 

Have just checked the license on States of Guernsey's website and it says that Alderney was not included.

Along with a few other pilots, I started my career instructing with Stratair, do they get a mention?:ok:

Stratair
 

Yes, Stratair and the Devereux House Hotel are mentioned, and I give you this section from the book about Stratair et al :ok:

Agree
 

FlyerGuy - I fully agree with you, but the concerns of islanders have to be taken into account, whether justified or not. I'm sure they'd get over it very soon. In any case, I suspect that Aurigny would probably consider the Skylander but probably would buy more Islanders if the Trislanders were to be phased out - or possibly just order more new-build Trislanders (B-N will restart the production line with only 3 orders).

Islanders do not mind the Germans in general, but the name Dornier probably rings quite a few bells in peoples' heads. In any case, the Trislander should still be able to be used, according to Aurigny, until AvGas becomes too expensive or unavailable.

AeroMad.

I have just ordered my copy.

Thanks!
 

Thank you very much - it should be with you by 10th August at the latest (if all goes well :})