Alderney Air Fares to Increase Amid Government Cost-Cutting Measures

Air travel costs for Alderney are set to increase immediately and again in 2025, as authorities aim to decrease public expenditure on flights serving the island. The Public Service Obligation (PSO) subsidy allocated for flights to Alderney in 2024 is £2m, but Guernsey’s Policy and Resources (P&R) committee indicated a potential budget overrun of £600,000. To address the projected overspend, P&R implemented an immediate £5 fare increase and plans to reduce the subsidy to £1.5m in 2025 as a cost-cutting measure, estimating this could result in an additional £25-£30 on one-way tickets. The States of Alderney expressed concerns that this alteration would lead to “consternation among the people of Alderney and harm the bailiwick economy”. P&R stated that the fare increase scheduled for next year should primarily target the Alderney-Southampton route, aiming to safeguard the Alderney-Guernsey route. The committee also noted that airline Aurigny was consulted regarding these adjustments. Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, Minister for External Relations, acknowledged that Alderney residents would likely feel disappointed. He stated: “It’s important that we strike the right balance between the cost of the subsidy on the taxpayer and the cost for those using the service,” adding, “For 2024 this balance was outlined in the contract, with the target of a £2m subsidy, however, with this having increased by £600,000, it’s only right that we now take action to bring this back in line with the original target.” He continued: “We are all aware of the financial challenges facing our bailiwick, and as such we have a responsibility to pursue future savings, as directed by the States.” He concluded: “A reduction in subsidy of £500,000 is, we believe, appropriate and proportionate given the circumstances.” According to the States of Alderney, the fare hike would elevate Alderney–Southampton return air fares by approximately £90, pushing the price of flexible return tickets to nearly £450. Nigel Vooght, chairman of Alderney Policy and Finance, commented: “We are extremely disappointed at the serious lack of engagement prior to being informed of this decision.” He added: “We are disappointed that this announcement has been made without prior discussion, constructive collaboration or due assessment of the impact it is likely to have on our economy which is already constrained by high air fares and disrupted connectivity. If our economy suffers further as a result of this reduction, so does the bailiwick’s as the taxes we pay to Guernsey will decline.”