Alderney 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 (Southampton and Guernsey) and Blue Islands Airline (Bournemouth and Guernsey) as well as thousands of private aviators. Airport facilities 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 two check-in desks for Alderney's two local airlines, Aurigny Air Services and Blue Islands Airline. 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 from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The Airport Buffet also sells duty-free alcohol and tobacco and other duty-free goods as well as a range of souvenirs, cosmetics, perfumes and "made in Alderney" products. There is a taxi rank and you can use the freephone 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 Campionships.

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 Aerodrome (AD Volume 1), or Pooleys Flight Guide.

Prior permission for SVFR Zone entry clearance should be obtained by telephone from Jersey Air Traffic Control (Tel: +44 (0)1534 492243).

VFR ROUTE ENTRY POINT: It should be noted that following the introduction of PROHIBITED AREAS over both Cap de la Hague and Flamanville, the original VFR Routes between Alderney and those points have been suspended.

An alternative VFR route Alderney - Vauville (4934359N, 0014807W) has been created to avoid both of these areas.

It should also be noted that DANGER AREA LF - 575 has been suspended to accommodate this new VFR route.

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.

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, parking is free for 72 hours for aircraft weighing less than three metric tonnes. Landing fees are very reasonable starting from about £6 depending on aircraft weight, day of arrival, length of stay (minimum 1 night) and/or fuel uplift (most credit cards accepted). Hangar space is limited, especially during the summer months. Tie downs however, are 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 the control tower.

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.