One of Alderney’s Representatives has been unable to reach the first day of the 2027 Budget debate in Guernsey because of problems with the island’s flights.
Ironically, Alex Snowdon is due to present an amendment to the budget calling for more money to fund Alderney’s air services.
However, debate on his amendment may be delayed after he was unable to fly to Guernsey yesterday or today.
Mr Snowdon said technical issues with the Twin Otter aircraft serving Alderney prevented him from flying to Guernsey yesterday, ahead of today’s 09:30 meeting start time.
His flight this morning was delayed because the pilots were “out of hours to operate” and the aircraft still had technical problems. The lunchtime flight is also showing as delayed, meaning Mr Snowdon may miss the entire first day of budget debate.
His fellow Alderney Representative, Edward Hill, asked the States to delay Mr Snowdon’s amendment if he’s not able to get there in time.
Mr Snowdon has been a long-time vocal supporter of plans to redevelop Alderney’s airport and runway, and invest in its air links.
His amendment this week, seconded by Mr Hill, would see the funding for the Public Service Obligation increased by £364,000 to £1.864m.
Mr Snowdon and Mr Hill say this money would enable the States of Guernsey to meet its contractual obligations for Alderney’s air services.
The PSO funding has been cut from £3m per year to £2m in 2021, and £1.5m in 2025.
Mr Snowdon and Mr Hill argue that this has made flights to and from Alderney expensive – quoting return flights costing £191.90 to Guernsey, and £384 return direct to Southampton.
They are expected to argue that increasing the PSO funding will reduce flight prices for passengers, while enabling Aurigny to provide the operational resources required to operate reliable services.
