Work to reconstruct the main runway at Alderney Airport is now expected to be carried out in 2028 at the earliest, following a review of the design.
The changes relate to the width and profile of the current 877 metre long asphalt runway, and require more design work to be carried out before the construction contract is tendered.
The runway’s current width of 18 metres is below the minimum of 23 metres that is required for a runway longer than 800 metres to achieve full compliance with regulatory standards. Operations are currently permitted due to an ‘alleviation’ from the regulator, the Director of Civil Aviation (DCA).
It was previously assumed the runway would have to be widened when the major reconstruction works are carried out. However the DCA has confirmed that given the aircraft type expected to operate in Alderney, provided a suitable safety case is presented the current alleviation could continue.
The design change aligns with the 2025 States direction, which sought to minimise changes to the current runway dimensions. It will avoid the extra costs of widening, with a reduction of around 25% in the volume of construction material required. The project had also focused solely on the main asphalt runway, to minimise cost in line with the States resolution. The previous design was therefore not concerned with how the reconstructed profile would impact on its intersection with the two existing grass runways.
Although the grass runways do not form part of the current project, the Project Board has revised the plans to ensure, as far as possible, that they can be retained for future use, without significant further cost to the reconstruction of the main runway.
The project’s technical advisers are now developing the new design, which will take up to five months. Once finished, it will provide the basis of the competitive tender process to appoint a contractor to carry out the works which is expected to commence in early 2027.
The successful bidder will then work with the project team to finalise the design, identify potential value engineering opportunities, and decide when and how the construction will be carried out, to ensure it is completed for the least cost.
Policy & Resources Committee Vice-President, Deputy Yvonne Burford, said: “The Policy & Resources Committee remains committed to the rehabilitation of Alderney Airport’s asphalt runway as soon as is practically possible. In the meantime, the runway patching programme will continue to ensure that air services to Alderney are able to continue to operate.”
States’ Trading and Supervisory Board President, Deputy Mark Helyar, said: “We have had positive engagement with four companies who have expressed interest in the project, and we are keeping them appraised of developments. No definitive timeline for the completion of the works can be provided until the contract has been awarded and early contractor engagement has commenced.
“In the meantime, Guernsey Ports will continue to maintain the existing asphalt runway to ensure Alderney Airport remains operational.”
States of Alderney Policy & Finance chair, Jeannie Cameron, said: “While we are disappointed by the delay, we welcome P&R’s confirmation that work on the runway will begin in spring 2028. This provides much-needed certainty for Alderney’s hospitality and tourism sector, allowing businesses to plan for a business-as-usual 2027 season. We have also been reassured that essential runway repairs and maintenance will continue in the meantime, and welcome agreement that P&F will receive regular updates from the Runway Project Board as the project progresses.”
