The current equipment, which has been in place since the terminal building opened in 2004, no longer meets requirements set by the UK’s Department for Transport.
Although the majority of UK airports will have their systems updated by September this year, Guernsey Airport has applied for alleviation while it comes up with a plan. If approved by the department, this will give the port until September 2021 to make the changes.
The airport first learned about plans to update the regulations back in 2014, when its team began looking into replacement options. A few years later, it purchased a machine which was expected to simply take the place of the current equipment.
Pictured: Colin Le Ray.
However, in 2018, the team heard of difficulties other airports had been having with the same machines. At this point, it decided to pause the project and review it.
After gathering some data, Guernsey Airport found the machine would be likely to cause delays if it was installed with no other changes.
As a result, the airport is now looking to purchase and install a second machine and is asking for help from the States’ Capital Reserve.
This plan would cost significantly more than the original idea, as the terminal building would have to be extended to house the equipment.
Although the States Trading & Supervisory Board discussed funding the project through the ports, it was decided this would see an unreasonable hike in the cost of flights, which could put passengers off using the airport.
“STSB has looked very closely at the economics of this investment,” said General Manager of the Ports, Colin Le Ray. “It could be as much as £12m – we’re still out to tender on that at the moment – but that sort of investment, if paid for through aviation charges, could lead to a fairly significant increase in the price of those charges that we levy through to the airlines and then they pass on to you as a passenger.
Pictured: STSB President, Deputy Peter Ferbrache.
“We’re looking at possibly a 70 to 80% increase in charges for aviation security, at a point where we already understand those to be relatively high compare to the rest of our fellow airports.
“The board looking at it just felt it was unreasonable to pass those costs on without having some sort of impact on the number of people travelling.”
Currently, the security charge stands at £2.35 per passenger. However, if the airport was to fund the project itself, this would have to rise to £4.19.
“The policy letter is asking States Members to agree funding for a significant investment in vital airport infrastructure,” said STSB President, Deputy Peter Ferbrache. “This is an investment in the island’s air links, which are vital for the economic and social wellbeing of the Bailiwick, to ensure seamless travel and improve the experience for passengers.”
The proposals are due to be debated next month.
Guernsey Airport is also continuing work to replace the x-ray equipment in the hand luggage area, which is being funded through income from local ports.
Pictured top: Guernsey Airport.