Airport tower rust issues are 'nail in the coffin'

Engineers will assess the damage after the airport's arrivals area had to close on Wednesday

Rust debris falling from the air traffic control tower has been described as "another nail in the coffin" for Alderney Airport by a local politician.

Guernsey Ports said engineers would assess the damage after the airport's arrivals area had to close on Wednesday due to falling debris from the tower.

It meant passengers had to use the Covid Arrivals area instead of the main terminal.

Alderney politician Steve Roberts has called for "a proper independent risk assessment to make sure the people of Alderney and its travellers are safe".

'Ramshackle'

Mr Roberts said "We've got a crumbling runway and now it appears we've got a crumbling tower.

"It's just another nail in the coffin of Alderney Airport.

"It's not just passengers going through there, there are staff working in that building below."

Island politicians had called for the runway to be resurfaced and extended to allow for larger aircrafts to land.

However, plans for the redevelopment of Alderney Airport and runway have been postponed after the costs came in higher than expected.

"All I want is to get that runway repaired to the proper standard," said Mr Roberts.

He added: "It makes Alderney look like some ramshackle place".

Guernsey Ports has been approached for comment.