Alderney Airport reduced hours in April 2019

Alderney Airport will be operating on reduced opening hours for three days in April 2019. This is due to a shortage of Air Traffic Controller cover based on the island.

These reduced hours are to ensure the available staff can safely comply with rules governing the amount of time they are allowed to work.

The three days impacted are as follows:

• Tuesday 9th April
• Monday 15th April
• Wednesday 17th April

The operational hours of the Alderney airfield for those three days will be 8am-1pm and 2.30pm – 6pm local time.

Alderney Airport would normally be open from 7.40am until 6.30pm local time Monday to Thursday.

Alderney Airport apologises for any inconvenience this decision may cause to passengers’ travel plans, and private flight movements. Aurigny are in the process of contacting any affected customers. In general terms, the Airline will be moving the timings of its flights over those days to avoid any airfield closure times.

Emergency medical evacuation (Medivac) flights out of Alderney will not be affected by this decision.

Head of Aviation Services for Guernsey & Alderney Airports Ash Nicholas said:

"Alderney Airport Air Traffic Controller coverage has been supplemented by two Guernsey-based controllers working with their Alderney colleagues to maintain the required cover. We have tried to build reduced cover for these three days around Aurigny’s schedule gaps for Alderney passenger service as much as possible. However, it is acknowledged that it may mean some passenger flight timings may have to change slightly. Thankfully, our local trainee Air Traffic Controller in Alderney will qualify soon which will ease the situation and reduce the need for shorter operational hours. We understand this will cause some irritation to airport users, however public safety is paramount and we have explored all other options before taking this decision."

Manager Air Traffic Control, Leah Jeffreys said:

"The maintenance of safety underpins the ATC operation, and it is essential that we maintain safe working practices for our air traffic control staff, where the risk of fatigue has to be removed from this highly specialised environment. This decision has not been taken lightly, and all other options have been explored."

Picture: Alderney Airport.