Guernsey Airport terminal is officially opened today

March 25, 2004

Airport terminal is officially opened today
Guernsey Weekly Press, UK

 
Acclaimed at the weekend, the new airport terminal
will be opened by Bailiff Sir de Vic Carey today. And
when it is in use next month, it will bring the island
fully into line with the UK Department for Transport’s
strict regulations and guidelines.
‘It’s the standard demanded of us for some time and to
implement it is a very important step for us,’ said
airport director Colin Le Ray.
The security presence around the airport will
continue.
‘We get advice on when to step up security and we
follow that advice,’ said Mr Le Ray. All baggage can
now be screened.
The weekend’s public opening was the first test of
whether the £16.2m. project had been a success.
‘We have had lots of feedback which we can push into
the commissioning period – little things that can make
the building work better for the public – but the
general feedback has been very positive,’ he said.
‘I think it’s going to give people visiting the island
something they will be very proud of – it’s a good
flagship gateway.’
Project manager Phil Nokes, of BAE Systems, described
the public’s response at the open day as ‘very
positive’.
‘They are very impressed – they like the space, the
air, the designs and [the fact] that there is plenty
of movement,’ he said.
He received many favourable comments about the
cafeteria and food village.
‘We have really had no negatives – it’s been
excellent. We have been very pleased with the flow of
people and the interest expressed,’ said Mr Nokes.
‘It makes it all worthwhile and you feel you have done
something nice for the island.
‘Now everybody is looking forward to it going live.
‘I think it’s a very positive step for Guernsey and is
a true gateway in and out of the island that people
will be very proud of and that leaves a good
impression.
‘I would hope, when news gets round on the
international scene, that more and more people will
find it an enjoyable experience.’ 
The last airport he was involved in building was in
Prague, about six years ago.
‘It was so exciting for the Czech Republic, with them
coming out of communism and all of a sudden they had
this terrific new airport,’ he said.
Aurigny managing director Malcolm Hart thought the new
terminal was excellent.
‘I think the best thing about it was always going to
be the view to the north. In the summer, on a nice
day, it will be one of the best views on the island,’
he said.
‘I’m very impressed and I think it’s going to be an
asset for the island and will make people’s first
impressions a bit more positive than the old building.
‘I think anything that enhances people’s overall
travelling experience should not be sniffed at and may
help people’s decision to come again.’
He said that while the terminal would probably have no
major impact on visitor numbers, it would have a
positive effect.
Craig Tiffany, operations manager of Select Service
Partner Airport and Marine Restaurants, the operator
of the food village at the airport, said he liked the
look of the new terminal.
‘Visually it’s stunning and the changeover is going
really well,’ he said. 
‘It’s a smaller airport than Edinburgh and Manchester
[where he has worked] but the design is phenomenal.
‘I already visually prefer this airport to the others.
I think it’s money well spent and if it leads to
increased tourism, there will be a need for a more
spacious airport like this,’ he said.


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