Sark politicians investigate charging for airspace

Politicians say a number of Sark residents have voiced concerns about the noise of aircraft flying over the island

Politicians in Sark are investigating the possibility of charging for the use of the island’s airspace.

Conseiller Christopher Kennedy-Barnard said a number of residents had complained about noise created by aircraft approaching Guernsey Airport’s runway over Sark.

He said: "From my point of view, I recognise tourism is the lifeblood of the island, where people come for a quiet peaceful place."

Blue Islands, which operates from Guernsey to Jersey and Southampton, declined to comment and Aurigny and the Office of the Director of Civil Aviation have not responded to requests for comment.

'Peace and quiet'

Members of Sark’s government, Chief Pleas, have met with the current Channel Island Director of Civil Aviation to discuss the issue.

Kennedy-Barnard said he was in the "early stages" of his investigation and ultimately it would be for Chief Pleas to decide following a public consultation.

He said: "It’s a bit of a concern how many planes are flying through our airspace and the noise created by it."

Seigneur Major Christoper Beaumont said he has been a long-time advocate for Sark being a "no-fly zone"

Sark’s Seigneur Major Christoper Beaumont has backed the idea of the creation of a no-fly zone over Sark.

He said one of the big draws to Sark was its peace and tranquillity and that the noise of planes overhead was spoiling that.

"I’ve been a long advocate of planes not lining up on my tower in order to land on a runway seven or eight miles away," Mr Beaumont said.

"It seems ridiculous that they don’t turn into the runway much closer to Guernsey leaving us in a peaceful environment."

Conseiller Christopher Kennedy-Barnard said the decision would ultimately be for Chief Pleas

Kennedy-Barnard said Sark controlled its own airspace "so in theory we could look at stopping all air traffic in front of us".

"We could be charging overflight fees and it would bring much needed revenue in to spend on education and health challenges," he said.

"Some notable aviation officials have said perhaps you should be getting something if planes are going through your airspace."

Airlines can be charged overflight fees when flying through a country's airspace.

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority defines overflight as "an aircraft in flight passing an observer at an elevation angle that is greater than an agreed threshold and at an altitude below 7,000 ft".