Ports of Jersey unveils development plan for Jersey Airport

Ports of Jersey, the state-owned operator of Jersey Airport in the Channel Islands, has unveiled a new 10-year Master Plan for the development of the airport, including a new arrivals facility and renovated passenger pier.

The first stage of the project, which is due to take between 5 and 10 years to complete, will see preparatory work started by the end of 2016. This initial work will include the construction of a temporary arrivals facility, which will remain in place to allow for the removal of the existing building and the construction of a new one. It will also require a realignment of the roadways and parking layout.

Planning permission for the removal of the current arrivals building was awarded in March 2014 as the current facility impedes the safety and operational capabilities of the airport. One such safety regulation addressed in the new design includes the creation of a 30m (ft) aviation security ‘stand-off’ zone, preventing vehicles from being within close proximity of the terminal buildings.

The new arrivals building, which will be constructed closer to the departures terminal, could potentially be similar in its art deco style to that of the current facility, and may have a larger overall floor space to accommodate more commercial businesses, meeting rooms and a restaurant and viewing area overlooking the runway.

The passenger pier is also due to be refurbished including the expansion and creation of larger open plan departure gates to accommodate the capacity of larger aircrafts. This will also open up further retail and catering opportunities. The airport’s Fire Crew facility is also likely to be brought nearer to the new arrivals building.

The phasing of the project will be subject to the operator’s cash flows but could cost an estimated £65m (US$87m). Ports of Jersey is planning to fund the project through its own commercial returns and without government support.

Doug Bannister, group CEO, Ports of Jersey, said, “This is the start of an exciting new era at Jersey Airport as it enters its 80th year in 2017. As an organization we acknowledge the need to make these necessary safety improvements if we are to remain operationally compliant but at the same time it allows us the opportunity to invest in the future and create an airport that everyone can be proud of.

“Having taken into consideration our regulatory requirements, growth opportunities and travel trends as well as valuable customer feedback, we have developed a Master Plan for Jersey Airport that provides a positive direction for the future. We don’t have all the details as yet and these will come from the individual projects as we develop the plans further but we are progressing with our plans and are engaging fully with our stakeholders at an early stage of the process.”