Aurigny's summer timetable has caused widespread concern to Island residents. The Southampton route has been reduced to two flights a day, with the consequential loss of 4,400 seats. The negative impact of this decision on the economy will be significant. Tourism, already under considerable strain, will be an obvious casualty, but the collateral damage will extend into other business sectors too. Similarly, those residents who require specialised medical treatment in the UK, will have the added stress of the uncertainty of being able to secure a flight to attend appointments.
The reduced service has been brought about because one of the Dornier's needs a new wing at an estimated cost of £500,000 and Aurigny are not prepared to make this commitment until the outcome of their tender for the Public Service Obligation contract is known later this year. This will leave only two Dornier's to service the Alderney routes. Exactly how the service will be maintained when the inevitable scheduled maintenance are being carried out has not been made clear.
It may or may not be a comfort to Island residents that our State members have expressed their deep disappointment at the news and will continue their year on year discussions with Guernsey's Policy & Resources Committee in the expectation (or is it hope?) that by repeating the same arguments again and again they will achieve a different result.
The Guernsey Bereavement Service has made three visits to Alderney over the past few months and would like to continue to help you. We are visiting the island again on
Tuesday, 23rd February 2024 and would invite anyone who feels they would like Bereavement Counselling to telephone the Bereavement Service Office on 257778 to make a time to meet one of our counsellors.
The Guernsey Bereavement Service has made three visits to Alderney over the past few months and would like to continue to help you. We are visiting the island again on
Tuesday, 23rd February 2024 and would invite anyone who feels they would like Bereavement Counselling to telephone the Bereavement Service Office on 257778 to make a time to meet one of our counsellors. 