Work to reconstruct Alderney Airport’s runway has been pushed back by another year – with work now not expected to start before “2028 at the earliest”.
Despite planes only being allowed to land on the crumbling runway because of an agreement with the Civil Aviation Authority, work to reconstruct the lifeline infrastructure has been delayed again – this time because the design has been reviewed.
A statement issued by the States of Guernsey said the review relates to the “width and profile of the current 877-metre-long asphalt runway”, with “more design work to be carried out before the construction contract is tendered”.
It was previously assumed the runway would have to be widened but the Director of Civil Aviation has said that might not be the case with the aircraft currently flying in and out of the island able to operate safely within the current width.
Once the final design has been agreed, the contract to do the work will go out to tender. As that hasn’t happened yet, the previously stated start date of Spring 2027 will be missed.
Alderney’s Policy & Finance Chair said everyone is disappointed with the delay but she welcomed confirmation that work will start in Spring 2028 instead.
“This provides much-needed certainty for Alderney’s hospitality and tourism sector, allowing businesses to plan for a business-as-usual 2027 season,” said Jeannie Cameron.
“We have also been reassured that essential runway repairs and maintenance will continue in the meantime, and welcome agreement that P&F will receive regular updates from the Runway Project Board as the project progresses.”
The latest delay to the runway reconstruction was revealed after Alderney and Guernsey States Member Alex Snowdon lodged some Rule 14 questions in Guernsey – a set of written formal questions that Policy and Resources (P&R) had to answer within 14 days.
He asked if P&R still expected the runway work to start in April 2027, and finish in December 2027, as had previously been stated.
Mr Snowdon was told that “further design work is required before the tender process for the construction contract can commence” and that this “should have significant cost savings and as a consequence this option is now being pursued for the collective financial benefit”.
“Consequently, the design work means that the anticipated milestones set out in the January 2026 policy letter have been revised to reflect this delay, ultimately meaning that construction is now anticipated in 2028, rather than 2027,” confirmed P&R.
Mr Snowdon’s questions also revealed that P&R is still working towards a £24m budget for reconstructing the runway – but it said that “the project faces cost pressures as the £24m must cover all project-related costs, including the provision of alternative transport and Medevac arrangements during construction”.
If the runway needs to be closed during the work it will be communicated with the public “with adequate notice”, promised P&R.
Guernsey’s States’ Trading and Supervisory Board President, Deputy Mark Helyar, said initial talks with companies which could carry out the reconstruction work on Alderney’s runway have also been positive and he confirmed the ongoing maintenance programme will continue until the major work starts.
“We have had positive engagement with four companies who have expressed interest in the project, and we are keeping them appraised of developments,” he said. “No definitive timeline for the completion of the works can be provided until the contract has been awarded and early contractor engagement has commenced.
“In the meantime, Guernsey Ports will continue to maintain the existing asphalt runway to ensure Alderney Airport remains operational.”
