Design Work for Alderney’s refurbished runway, taxiway and apron is underway

Strong interest has been registered by a number of specialist contractors in the first market testing of plans to reconstruct Alderney Airport’s runway.

The States of Deliberation in Guernsey agreed the preferred option for refurbishing the island’s runway in 2019. That initial approval covered funding to develop the site investigations, preliminary and detailed designs to widen and refurbish the main asphalt runway, taxiway and apron and to manage the selection of a shortlist of experienced airfield contractors.

Global infrastructure firm AECOM has been appointed to help the project team to validate the appropriate designs and scheme of works to rehabilitate the Alderney’s runway, apron and taxiway. 

Pre-Qualification Questionnaires have now been returned from a number of potential contractors. A preferred shortlist of contractors will be finalised from these initial expressions of interest, and design negotiations with those preferred contractors will better understand how the final scheme will develop.

Any final designs will also need regulatory approval from the Channel Island Director of Civil Aviation (the DCA), ahead of formal application and final designs, but preliminary discussions between airport staff and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) held at the end of January were positive.

General Manager – Ports Colin Le Ray said:

“The scheme of improvements at Alderney Airport will offer the island’s residents and visitors more resilient air passenger services and runway facilities. The project will also provide further opportunities to create a lasting legacy for the island. This investment to Alderney Airport’s infrastructure will deliver improvements to the current asphalt surface area, as well as providing new LED lighting technology. The project team is fully aware of the clear direction set by the States of Guernsey to undertake the approved programme and all parties are working hard to deliver that scheme in as quick a timeframe as possible.”

AECOM will assist with the tendering of the scheme before final approvals are secured for the appointment of contractors. Its Managing Director, Civil Infrastructure UK and Ireland, Mark Southwell said:

“This project is key to the development and growth of Alderney. Not only will this offer the island’s residents an improved service but also create a better future for generations to come.  AECOM’s multidisciplinary team of professionals will bring a wide range of expertise to the project - ensuring excellence is delivered throughout.”

Designs will include options for future proofing the works, which could allow for the possibility of a runway extension in the future for Alderney should the need be proven. The project team and the consultants are still developing the mix of these options that could be included at the design and construction stages of the preferred scheme, were such options to be economically viable.

The opportunity for brief closures of the airport runway during reconstruction will be reviewed, not least, as this may expedite the works and reduce the cost. However, the project team has a clear understanding that any potential closures should be kept to a minimum due to the island’s reliance on air links for economic and social reasons.

As part of the project planning process, full consideration will be given to any alternative medevac arrangements.