The installation of an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) at Guernsey Airport
could allow the facility to welcome larger aircraft and more sizable airlines. The airport, which is the largest on the Channels Islands’ Bailiwick of Guernsey, currently welcomes smaller and lighter aircraft like the ATR72-600
and Beech King Air 360.
Installing specialist runway technology
Guernsey Airport’s runway is about 4,800 ft (1,463 m) long. A debate about extending the runway has been ongoing for about two decades, with arguments claiming that the extension could result in more routes in and out of Guernsey and lower fares.
According to the Swedish Company Runway Safe, installing an EMAS at the airport would help improve safety and allow larger, heavier planes to land. Company Director Mikael Larsson noted that installation would cost about $13 million (£10 million). The Guernsey Press noted him saying,
“In Guernsey, this technique and equipment could be used to extend the runway within the parameters of today’s airfield, and if you had another 100, 200, or 300 meters, you could have larger aircraft, new destinations, and new markets.”
According to the BBC, plans to extend the runway have been ruled out a number of times by the States members. Extending the runway could cost up to $105 million (£80 million). However, these plans were dismissed by politicians in 2023. According to Larsson, an EMAS could be installed within five weeks once any groundwork is completed.
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Welcoming sizable airlines
Runway Safe shared plans to install the technology with deputies and members of the public at an event organized by the Guernsey Aviation Group, a local aviation campaign organization. Former Deputy Joe Mooney highlighted that EMAS could have several benefits. “For the opportunities, it’s something we can’t afford not to do,” he said.
Photo: Michal Hlavica | Shutterstock
Mooney added that the new technology gives the airport an opportunity to welcome British Airways or even easyJet. “I can guarantee you, if we don’t do it, they won’t come,” he concluded. Deputy Chris Blin also supported the idea, saying the technology, “at not a great cost, would give us the opportunity to have larger, fully-laden planes.”
EMAS consists of crushable material at the end of the runway
, which helps stop an aircraft
if it overruns the runway
. Supporters of EMAS believe it is the safest and least costly way of extending the airport’s runway and improving the island’s connectivity. Runway Safe installs about eight to ten of them annually.
Is EMAS the best solution?
However, not everyone is for the idea. Deputy Yvonne Burford said that the presentation failed to highlight the benefits of extending the runway. “It was pointed out by the presenter that although the actual EMAS blocks would cost around £5-£7m. per end, there would be many other costs, including concreting the foundations, installation of the blocks, realigning lighting, and numerous other considerations,” she added.
Photo: Runway Safe
According to the points noted by Economic Development, the total cost of EMAS could come up to $103 million (£79 million). She added that there is no guarantee that a larger airlines would fly to the airport, and if they did, it would result in reduced flight frequencies to London airports and reduced airport income. She remains of the view that the £79 million could be put to better use.
Guernsey Airport serves as a hub for Aurigny
, the flag carrier of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The airport is connected to larger international hubs like London Gatwick and Paris Charles de Gaulle. According to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, Aurigny operates about 134 weekly flights from the airport.