Ports of Jersey has said it is continuing to “work closely” with the Director of Civil Aviation after it emerged that Jersey Airport was placed under ‘Special Attention’ earlier this year following an organisational restructure.
In a response to a written question from Deputy Jonathan Renouf, External Relations Minister Ian Gorst said the status represented the lowest level of an “escalation procedure”, but noted that it carried “no risk of Jersey Airport being subject to sanction or suspension of operations”.
The news comes several months after Ports CEO Matt Thomas told Express that the Airport’s operational leadership team was being strengthened with new employees from a wide range of backgrounds – including airlines, the Royal Navy, aviation regulation, security and air traffic control.
Deputy Gorst said he had been advised on 7 February that Jersey Airport was being placed under ‘Special Attention’ by the Office of the Director of Civil Aviation.
This signifies that the airport is receiving additional regulatory oversight and scrutiny. This designation can be applied when there are safety concerns, complex developments, or significant operational changes occurring at the airport.
Deputy Gorst continued: “This action followed an organisational restructure at Ports of Jersey. The DCA and PoJ are now working to address the issues raised by the DCA.
“I have been briefed, as is appropriate at Level 1, in high-level terms on the reasons for the escalation, and I am not aware of other reasons for the Special Attention measures being applied.”
He added: “Level 1 carries no risk of Jersey Airport being subject to sanction or suspension of operations by Office of the Director of Civil Aviation, or any other agency.”
A Ports of Jersey spokesperson said: “We continue to work closely with the DCA who are providing support and oversight to ensure high safety standards and regulatory compliance are maintained whilst the new organisational structure is fully embedded.”
They added: “Jersey Airport complies with all aviation regulations and safe, secure operations will always be our most important priority.”