Ready for take off: £65m revamp of airport

Friday 15 July 2016

The man responsible for running Jersey’s airport and harbours says “...within the next ten years the airport will be transformed almost beyond recognition.”

Doug Bannister’s bold claim came as he went public with plans for a £65m revamp of the Island’s gateway.

Many of the changes are being dictated to the Island by authorities that oversee safety and security, but Mr Bannister says the flying public will benefit enormously. Without the changes Jersey will fall behind other UK airports, and airlines may be banned from operating in and out of the Island.

Under a phased scheme funded totally from the airport’s own profits, the first stage is likely to be the demolition of the original 1937 arrivals building. It needs to go because it’s in the wrong place – right in the line of sight of the flight path. Although conservationists fought to save it Planning rejected the appeal. It had been suggested moving it. But, because it’s made of poured concrete that’s not possible.

As a concession the building that will replace it may well have an art deco feel. It's also hoped, if planning permission is given, and it is financially viable, to have more shops, and possibly meeting rooms and offices, as well as a restaurant and viewing area overlooking the taxiway and runway.

Then, over successive years the taxiways will be straightened, the passenger piers will be re-built and the gaps between the gates “filled in” to provide more seating and a more relaxed and spacious atmosphere, a segregated corridor will be constructed to separate domestic and international passengers, and a “fast track” security channel created.

It’s hoped these changes will allow the airport to accommodate bigger planes and to deal with the bottleneck of passengers created when they all land in quick succession. In 2015, Jersey Airport welcomed in excess of 1.5m passengers and in summer 2016, it will be served from 40 departure airports across the UK and mainland Europe.

Travellers will also notice changes as they pull up to catch their flights. New security measures restrict where cars can park, there has to be a 30-metre aviation 'stand-off' zone, so the current set-up will probably have to be re-worked. The result could mean a mini multi-storey car park will have to go up.

The combination of pilots soon having a clearer view of the runway, many of the “obstacles” in the flight path having been removed, and more high tech navigation equipment and improved lighting being installed, mean there will be fewer restrictions on when planes can land and take off and there will be fewer occasions on which flights will be cancelled.

The airport authorities say the scheme is flexible. It can be brought forward or slowed down to meet cash flow, can be modified to reflect travelling trends, either being extended or constricted, and altered to incorporate any new security regulations.

Although sketches have been produce of what the development might look like, the scheme's still up for discussion. The airport authorities are keen to hear what the public have to say and are organising a series of drop-in sessions after the summer break.