Tiny UK airport on island 'frozen in the 1970's' earmarked for £24m overhaul

Alderney is the northernmost of the inhabited Channel Islands, with direct flights from the British mainland and a neighbouring isle serving as its primary economic lifeline.

Part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the tiny island's only airport is often described as being 'frozen in the 1970s', but it faces an uncertain future — plans for a much-needed £24 million overhaul have been put on hold due to spiraling costs and political wrangling.

With its 1960s-era terminal and ageing runway, Alderney Airport currently handles around seven flights a day, with Aurigny Air Services connecting its 2,000 residents to Guernsey and Southampton in 10 and 40 minutes respectively.

It was the first airport to be built in the Channel Islands, and to this day offers just a single café and solitary shop where passengers can stock up on refreshments and supplies. However, decades of temporary repairs, costing an estimated £400,000 a year, are no longer enough to keep the runway up to the required safety standards.

Recent warnings from the Civil Aviation Authority, as well as Alderney representatives Alex Snowdon and Edward Hill, have highlighted the “very high risk” that the runway could soon fail to meet licensing conditions, potentially forcing a long-term closure. Such a scenario, the deputies warn, would quickly trigger a “serious downturn” in Alderney’s social and economic wellbeing.

They told the Guernsey Press: “Despite the twice-yearly significant patching and repair work undertaken by specialist contractors in recent years, Alderney Airport now faces a very high risk in the near future that it will not meet the necessary licensing conditions – primarily relating to safety factors — resulting at best in the introduction of more stringent and restrictive operating limitations, or perhaps more realistically a long-term closure of the airstrip.

“We cannot stress enough that any long term closure of Alderney Airport would rapidly lead to a serious tailspin of both Alderney’s social and economic well-being — neither of which would be acceptable to the States.”

The States of Guernsey approved an ambitious £24 million redevelopment in 2022, aiming to extend the runway for larger aircraft and replace the outdated terminal and fire station. But when the project went to tender, the lowest bid came in at £37 million — far above the agreed budget.

As a result, the project has been paused while officials scramble to find a more affordable solution, with some estimates for even a “do-minimum” option now ranging from £25 million to £55 million.

This delay means work that was supposed to start in the spring of 2024 may not begin until as late as 2028, leaving Alderney’s only airstrip in limbo. The States of Guernsey have committed to urgently reassess the project, with a new plan expected by the end of 2025, but the focus may shift to a more modest upgrade suitable for smaller planes.

Long celebrated for its blend of charm and tranquility, Alderney’s unique character is part of its appeal. Just three miles long and one and a half wide, it is known for its safe and peaceful atmosphere, where children can roam free and life moves at a slower, friendlier pace.

But without a functioning airport, Alderney risks isolation, especially in winter when ferry services are unreliable. As the States of Guernsey debate the future of the isle's airport, the outcome will determine whether this time-capsule island can remain connected to the outside world, or whether it risks being frozen in time for all the wrong reasons.