JERSEY Airport faces “no risk” of operations being suspended despite being placed under “special attention” by safety experts earlier this year, the External Relations Minister has said.
In a response to a written question, Deputy Ian Gorst explained the escalated status represented the lowest level of an “escalation procedure”.
Jersey Airport was placed under “special attention” earlier this year following an organisational restructure.
This status signifies that the airport is receiving additional regulatory oversight and scrutiny. This designation can be applied when there are safety concerns, complex developments, or significant operational changes occurring at the airport.
The news comes several months after Ports of Jersey chief executive Matt Thomas confirmed that Jersey Airport’s operational leadership team was being strengthened with new employees from a wide range of backgrounds – including airlines, the Royal Navy, aviation regulation, security and air traffic control.
Deputy Gorst said he had been advised of the airport’s status by the Office of the Director of Civil Aviation on 7 February.
He explained: “This action followed an organisational restructure at Ports of Jersey.
“The Director of Civil Aviation and Ports of Jersey are now working to address the issues raised by the Director of Civil Aviation.”
The minister added that he has been briefed on the reasons for the escalation and was “not aware of other reasons for the special attention measures being applied”.
He continued: “Level 1 carries no risk of Jersey Airport being subject to sanction or suspension of operations by Office of the Director of Civil Aviation, or any other agency.”
A Ports of Jersey spokesperson said: “We continue to work closely with the DCA who are providing support and oversight to ensure high safety standards and regulatory compliance are maintained whilst the new organisational structure is fully embedded.”
They added: “Jersey Airport complies with all aviation regulations and safe, secure operations will always be our most important priority.”
