Government Initiatives
Airport
Alderney Airport was the first airport in the Channel Islands, built in 1938, and is the closest Channel Island airport to the South coast of England. Uniquely amongst Channel Islands airports, it has three operational runways. The airport serves several scheduled direct flights daily from Aurigny Air Services from Southampton and Guernsey, as well as a large number of private aviators. Airport facilities and services include a hangar, the Airport Fire Station and low cost, duty-free, tax-free AvGas refuelling.
The small airport building, erected in 1968, contains an arrivals hall and a departure lounge with check-in desks for Alderney' local airline, Aurigny Air Services. The departure lounge also includes a security check area for passengers and luggage.
There is also a small airport buffet which serves snacks and non-alcoholic refreshments.The Airport Buffet also sells duty-free alcohol and tobacco and other duty-free goods (up to 30 minutes before departure) as well as a range of souvenirs, cosmetics, perfumes and "made in Alderney" products. There is a taxi rank and you can use the free phone in the Arrivals Hall to book your transfer taxi or rental car.
The main runway, 26/08 is 880 metres long and is mainly bitmac. The two secondary runways are both grass. 14/32 being 732 metres long, with 03/21 having a length of 497 metres.
One of the most famous frequently photographed fixtures of the airport is the sun dial outside the building, as wells as the "knit-while-you-wait" box in the departure lounge, which invites waiting passengers to help knit squares. Wool is donated and the squares are subsequently stitched together to make blankets for charity.
Light Aviation
Alderney airport is 'Light Aviation Friendly' and open seven days a week. The airport hosts annual Island Air Races, held during September. The races are run jointly by the Alderney Flying Club and the Royal Aero Club, with the results counting towards the British Air Racing Championships.
Flight Planning: Alderney Airport is situated within and governed by, the regulations applicable to the Channel Islands CTR (Class[A] airspace) and Alderney CTR (Class [D] airspace).
Pilots who are unable to comply with full IFR requirements may, subject to weather minimum and air traffic restrictions, be cleared for flight within the Zone on a Special VFR clearance. Details of SVFR restrictions will be found in the UK AIP (AD 2-EGJJ-1-9), or commercially produced flight guides.
A request to enter the CI Control Zone on a SVFR clearance must be made to Jersey Zone at least 10 (ten) minutes flying time before the Zone Boundary.
Detailed briefing material on Alderney inbound and outbound SVFR routes can be found at http://www.cicz.co.uk/destination_alderney.php
General Information: The Fly to Alderney information guide providing information about the facilities available to general aviation users is available from the States of Alderney Marketing Department (Tel: 01481 822811) or downloaded here. This guide is pre-punched and folds to fit either your Pooleys or you Jeppesen binders.
Alderney Airport: It is the closest Channel Island airport to the South coast of England. If you decide to cross the Channel by means of the Light Aircraft corridor and then route to the Island through France, there will remain only a short over-water crossing to Alderney from the French coast at Veauville. (Although shown on French VFR maps this is a little used airfield & waypoint, the VRP Hauville is more commonly used).
The main runway is equipped with low intensity lighting, with portable lighting being available on runway 14/32. Alderney has an NDB (383.0 KHz 'ALD'), providing a useful approach aid.
Once on the ground
Landing fees are very reasonable starting from about £12 (including 24 hours free parking) depending on aircraft weight and/or fuel uplift (most credit cards accepted). Full details can be found in section 4 of the Alderney Airport Fees & Charges at www.guernsey-airport.gov.gg/Alderney%20Airport%20F&C%20-%202009.pdf There are often special promotional deals available to visiting pilots, details of these can be found at http://www.visitalderney.com/travel/private-aviator-offer/ Hangar space is not available for visiting aircraft. Tie-downs are however normally available.
Visiting pilots are requested to visit the Flight Clearance Office on arrival (adjacent to the Fire Station), where a self-briefing unit is available, with a direct fax link to ATC.
AvGas Supply
AEL (Alderney Electricity Limited), the Alderney-based suppliers of duty-free and VAT-free AvGas have made substantial investments to provide this service to private aviators and commercial aviation companies.