Airports - March April 2015

FEATURE
GUERNSEY
resurfacing of all aircraft parking areas
and most significantly, a rebuild and
extension of the runway and a realignment
of the taxiway serving it, enabling the
airport to handle larger, heavier aircraft.
Costing £80m, the scheme also converted
grass parking areas for private aircraft to
concrete to provide more apron space for
both commercial and private flying; there
were also upgrades to airfield lighting and
drainage. The most noticeable change to
the runway was a 492ft (150m) extension
at the western (09) end and reducing the
undulating profile by removing some of
the famous ‘dip’ and raising the height of
the 27 threshold to provide a more even
profile. Runway End Safety Areas (RESAs)
were also added at both ends.
The work was completed over a two-year
period and the airport remained open
throughout, with the exception of four
planned two-day closures for work that
could not be carried out overnight.
With the exception of Aurigny’s Embraer
195 aircraft, currently the largest to use
GCI, all other passenger flights are by
either Aurigny or Blue Islands ATR 42s and
72s, Flybe Bombardier Dash 8-Q400s, or
Aurigny’s ubiquitous Trislanders. Airbridges
are not appropriate for such small aircraft,
but a covered walkway provides access
to the eight stands fronting the terminal.
and troughs of commercial services to the
island. “Visitor traffic in the 1970s was
nearly three times higher than current
levels; however air travel was around
50% of its current levels. The majority
of visitors to and from Guernsey travelled
by sea,” he continued. “Visitor traffic in
2013 has been estimated at 302,000, of
this 198,000 travelled to and from the
island by air. Around 80% of visitors are
here for leisure, the remaining 20% for
business. Looking at total airport travel
(visitors + residents) then 78% is to and
from the UK, 21% is between Guernsey and
the other Channel Islands and the balance
is to and from Europe.”
With the airport having capacity for
extra services, Le Ray feels there is some
room for new entrants and the airport can
handle aircraft up to Boeing 737 size. “The
key route network is largely unchanged,
though carriers have come and gone.
The airport offers route incentives for
new or existing operators and the local
tourist department can offer assistance
on route marketing and other promotional
initiatives,” he continued. “A study of
new route development and a review of
strategic air links is currently under way.
It is fair to say that historically Guernsey
(with 62,000 residents) has punched
above its weight in terms of the number
and variety of destinations served. With
860,000 passenger movements to date
[autumn 2014] there is a high propensity
for travel and with only one airport we
have both a responsibility and opportunity
to benefit from that dependence on
aviation. The greatest potential for new
routes remains with the UK, however
opportunities for developing European
destinations are being considered. The
airport can handle up to three 737s and
five Dash 8s simultaneously on stands
adjacent to the terminal. Four additional
remote stands can accommodate aircraft
up to Dash 8 size.”
Although there is an obvious desire to
see key links strengthened, London’s
Heathrow is not amongst the destinations
Le Ray believes will be served. “Gatwick,
Director’s view
Airport Director Colin Le Ray said: “The
latest rebuild has been focussed on
condition, capacity and compliance. In
that respect the reconstruction activity
has facilitated larger aircraft to operate in
terms of runway and apron strength, both of
which had limited the use of larger heavier
aircraft (such as the E195) before works
were commissioned. The reconstruction
work has now facilitated regular scheduled
flights by the Embraer type, which has
been necessary to protect Guernsey’s
lifeline Gatwick route on an economically
sustainable basis. The terminal capacity is
unchanged at 1.25m passengers per annum,
and remains around 30% above current
annual passenger numbers.”
In position since the summer of
2003, when he worked on the terminal
redevelopment, Le Ray is well versed in
Guernsey’s aviation history and the peaks
The first floor
departure lounge
provides views of the
central apron and
the runway. (Author)
Runway
resurfacing and
strengthening work
under way in 2013.
(Guernsey Airport)
The check-in
area at a quiet time
of day. (Author)
Tower controllers
Peter Thoume (left)
and Stephen Muir
(right). The cab
gives unobstructed
views of the entire
airfield. (Author)
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