Thursday 24 December 2020
New arrangements are to be put in place by the Policy & Resources Committee to ensure Alderney's air connectivity
The Policy & Resources Committee and Aurigny are working to agree and put in place a new agreement to ensure Alderney's community has resilient air connectivity to Guernsey and Southampton for the next five years.
Following their election in autumn, the new Policy & Resources Committee resolved to work closely with the States of Alderney and the wider community to ensure that the relationship with Guernsey is mutually supportive.
One of the early steps the Committee has taken is to resolve the stalled public service obligation process to provide greater clarity for Aurigny and for Alderney on air services.
Deputy Mark Helyar, the Policy & Resources Committee lead on the relationship with Alderney, said:
"It is important that Alderney has assurance about its air connectivity. It is also important that this is provided in a way that is financially prudent, and that can be delivered by Aurigny. The collective aim of all parties is to ensure air connectivity to Alderney in a financially sustainable manner.
"The tender process that was overseen by the Committee for Economic Development in the previous term concluded with a clear recommendation, with Aurigny as the preferred bidder. The new Committee has picked up the baton, and very positive and can-do discussions with the new Chief Executive of Aurigny have enabled us to find a solution that will represent value for money for all parties.
"The States of Alderney has provided considerable input into the process, both James Dent and supporting officers, and we are grateful for their clear and pragmatic approach that has helped to resolve this important matter."
As the commercial agreement is not finalised discussions are ongoing it would not be appropriate to provide detail of them at this time. However the headline plan is to finalise a five-year arrangement with a target of £2 million per annum payment paid to support the routes - which would give a significant saving over five years in comparison to the current arrangement.
The contract will give Aurigny flexibility to make revisions to schedules and fares in line with demand and to meet financial targets. Subject to demand there is scope for Aurigny to operate two rotations each day between Alderney and Southampton and up to four rotations per day between Guernsey and Alderney. Aurigny will augment the service with chartered aircraft and the use of the second Dornier during busy periods to enable additional flights, for example summer and/or other peaks.
The contract will ensure continuity of the patient transfer service for Alderney residents requiring health care in Guernsey.
A Service Level Agreement will be put in place in order to support the meeting and assessment of performance standards on the routes.
The details of the contract are currently being finalised. Further detail will follow in due course.
