Guernsey States (Old - Closed 2004)

Operated By:

States of Guernsey

Website:

www.guernsey-airport.gov.gg

Terminals:

1

This Review:

Only Terminal

Rating:

3 star - Average service with more positives than negatives
  GCI
GUERNSEY
TT0107 /221750

 
Review created: 12/08/2003;
Last updated 12/08/2003

General:

Elderly airport that is life-expired. New airport opens on an adjacent site before the end of 2004
   

Appearance:

The building is elderly and looking very tired. The airport is basic but comfortable. It looks as though the decision has been taken to spend no more money on the terminal building as it is to be demolished when the new airport building opens next door

Inbound

Domestic
Very small arrivals area. From the plane you enter a glassed in room with a simple conveyor belt on which your baggage is dumped from a truck outside, you pass through the customs hall (green channel only, you have to phone customs if you wish to declare excess goods!) and into the main check in area

International
Technically all flights except those to Alderney are International as Guernsey is a separate State to Jersey, an independent country from France and not part of the Unite Kingdom. In effect all flights are domestic within France, the Channel Islands and UK

No sign of any immigration or passport checks. The only entry onto the island by air is from the other Channel Islands, France or Mainland UK so I assume they rely on checks on entry into those countries. That or the people of Guernsey are totally trusting.

The baggage belt resembles something that Tesco's or Sainsbury's have finished with! It is literally a short conveyor belt that then empties onto the floor!

There is only a green channel at the airport. There is a helpfully provided telephone to the customs office if you wish to declare any items! (N.B. The airport is about to be replaced by a new more modern airport currently under construction and I would suspect that this may change)

Two buses and hour on route 7 go direct to St Peter Port and two buses an hour on 7A go round the coast of the island and back into St Peter Port. One bus an hour on route 4 goes direct to St Peter Port.

Outbound

Domestic
The check in area has about 8 desks and 10 rows of bucket chair seating. Although the airport is to be demolished they have invested in modern computer screen departure boards that are constantly updated. Passing through security into a very small departures lounge that is combined with the gates and a very small duty free shop. The gate area resembles a bus station with small plastic bucket seats and almost floor to ceiling glass.

International
Technically all flights except those to Alderney are International as Guernsey is a separate State to Jersey, an independent country from France and not part of the Unite Kingdom. In effect all flights are domestic within France, the Channel Islands and UK

There is a small cafeteria/restaurant/bar land-side. Once you are through to air-side there is nothing.

There is a small cafeteria/restaurant/bar land-side. Once you are through to air-side there is nothing.

There is a small cafeteria/restaurant/bar land-side. Once you are through to air-side there is nothing.

Small newsagents come bookshop land-side and a very small duty free shop air-side

The toilets are clean but are looking a bit run down. Again, this is almost certainly as most effort is being put into getting the new airport built.