Air Alderney secures AOC, plots 2022 launch

Air Alderney has been granted an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) and is planning to launch charter and scheduled services out of Alderney “in the new year”, despite not having the necessary route licences.

“We are very pleased to announce, we have now obtained our Airline Operator Certificate (AOC), and in the very near future, we look forward to welcoming you on board our initial charter services,” the start-up said.

While it did not state when exactly it would launch, it said that it would begin with services from Alderney to Shoreham by Sea in the United Kingdom and later add services to Jersey.

“We believe these two routes together will offer you the best options for onward journeys, connecting family & friends, business, and much, much more. We will be in touch very soon with more information regarding further details on how to charter a flight, the frequency of our scheduled flights and our competitive prices,” it said.

Air Alderney also plans to connect Alderney with Guernsey. All flights will be operated with the carrier’s sole BN-2, G-BLNI (msn 2188).

However, shortly after the announcement, the local authorities poured cold water on its ambitions saying Air Alderney had yet to secure or even apply for the necessary permits.

“Following the recent announcements by Air Alderney of its intention to introduce scheduled air services on several routes, including Alderney to Shoreham and Alderney to Jersey, I should point out that Air Alderney has no route licences and, to date, the States of Alderney have not received any applications,” Chairman of the States of Alderney’s Policy and Finance Committee Bill Abel said in a statement.

The start-up applied for a Type B Operating Licence on September 27, 2021, allowing it to operate aircraft up to 19 seats only.

Air Alderney has been trying to launch since 2018 and came closest in mid-2020 when it secured an AOC and route licences. However, it did not take its BN-2 Islander until October 2020.