Alderney Airport, the closest Channel Island airport to England's south coast, is set to close for an extended period next year to undergo a £24 million runway renovation. The project, which includes widening the main runway from 18 to 23 metres while maintaining its 877-metre length, is expected to take eight months, from April to December 2027.
The States of Guernsey government stated that the closure may be necessary to complete the works in the shortest time and most cost-effective way. Alternative travel options will be provided, including arrangements for emergency medical evacuations. The runway will also be resurfaced, along with the main asphalt taxiway and apron, and new drainage and airfield lighting systems will be installed.
Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, president of the Policy and Resources Committee, called the project vital to maintaining Alderney's connectivity. She emphasised the need for delegated authority to approve the business case and early contractor engagement to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery. The final business case and budget will be debated in February.
The closure has raised concerns among residents. Chris Blythe, an Alderney resident and pilot, described the potential eight-month shutdown as 'brutal' and warned it could leave islanders 'cut off'. He noted that no details have been provided on how residents would travel to Guernsey or the mainland during the closure.
Alderney Airport, which opened in 1936 as the first operational airport in the Channel Islands, currently has no direct flights to London. Daily routes operate via Guernsey or Southampton. The extensive ground works may also affect the two existing grass runways used by private aircraft.
