Minister's bright idea would cost £80 million

Tuesday 25 February 2014

Moving the Airport runway instead of demolishing the 1937 arrivals hall could cost the public £80 million, the Economic Development Minister has warned.

Senator Alan Maclean’s comments came after his colleague Environment Minister Rob Duhamel told the Airport that he wanted them to look into shifting the runway instead of knocking down the old building in order to comply with international safety regulations.

Deputy Duhamel delayed the four-year-old application at yesterday’s Planning hearing to ask for an additional report from the Airport executive team – a move that Airport director Doug Bannister described as “disappointing” adding that the last-minute alternative would be expensive and disruptive.

Mr Bannister has said that the old arrivals hall is too close to the runway to comply with modern safety regulations, and that without an order for its demolition, the Airport is likely to face restrictions on flights that will mean more cancellations and delays for passengers, and significant disruption to tourist charter flights.

Senator Maclean tweeted after the hearing: “Planning Minister wants to research moving airport runway to save 1937 building? Cost £80m+ & closer to St P would just add more obstacles”

In a statement released after Deputy Duhamel’s decision, Mr Bannister said: “We have now been instructed to examine and report back to the minister the feasibility of retaining the arrivals building and instead relocate the runway to the north of the airfield, closer to St Peter’s Village.

“We will endeavour to include in this report not only the properties in the vicinity that would likely be affected and the impact on the community but also the financial implications such a major project would incur. We will commence this work immediately and submit to the minister for consideration as soon as possible to ensure no further delay on this important decision.”