Wednesday 12 June 2019
General Update
In July 2018, a policy letter from the Committee for Economic Development, entitled "Review of Air Transport Licensing", was considered by the States.
The Committee proposed what would amount to a quasi open-skies policy under which airline operators serving routes, other than routes that were designated as "lifeline routes" would be exempt from the need to hold a Guernsey air transport licence.
This proposal was approved and the States also agreed that the lifeline routes from Guernsey would be Gatwick and Alderney.
As a consequence of the adoption of the quasi open-skies policy, the Transport Licensing Authority has had no licence applications to determine since my last statement in June 2018.
Members will be aware of ongoing work being undertaken by the Committee for Economic Development on a public service obligation for air services to Alderney. In the event that an operator is appointed to provide such services, the role of the Authority is clearly set out in the Policy Statement approved by the States in 2018. It must grant an air transport licence to the relevant operator.
In addition, as part of that debate, the States also approved an amendment led by Deputy Yerby and seconded by Deputy Dorey that directed the States' Assembly and Constitution Committee, in consultation with the Committee for Economic Development, the Policy & Resources Committee and the Transport Licensing Authority, to review the role and constitution of the Authority and, if it was considered that changes were necessary, to return to the States with proposals no later than the end of 2019.
That review is in progress and I understand that if it considered necessary to report to the States, the intention is to submit such a report before the end of this year.
Any additional licensing functions in relation to road and maritime transport that might be undertaken by the Authority form part of the review being carried out by SACC.
Finally, the Authority was pleased to welcome Alderney Representative Steve Roberts as its latest Member.
