Blue Islands' Cardiff service to continue

Wednesday 31 January 2018

Blue Islands has confirmed it will continue its Guernsey to Cardiff route this summer, following its launch in 2017.

It is set to operate between 29 May and 1 September, with flights available on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

But Thursdays will no longer be on the schedule, after "lower than expected numbers in 2017".

Rob Veron, Blue Islands' CEO, said he hoped the route would boost visitor numbers to Guernsey.

"Blue Islands continues its commitment to stimulate the Guernsey visitor economy by adding a direct link to a major city during summer," he said.

"With two flights a week and competitive pricing, we hope many of them will take the opportunity to visit our wonderful island. This link also provides islanders with another direct city break option, along with Cardiff being the gateway to South Wales.”

Last year, just under 9,000 mainland tourists took advantage of a similar route flying to Jersey, while only approximately 3,200 used the route to Guernsey. This was despite the cost of flights being higher to Jersey, and them having been "marketed in the same channels".

"This suggests Jersey's tourist offering is currently more appealing than Guernsey's. We welcome the forcomthing Committee for Economic Decelopment's publication of the tourism product review, and believe it to be an important step in the rejuvenate of the island's tourist economy," Mr Veron added.

Tickets are now on sale on the Flybe website.

Pictured at top: Blue Islands Chief Commercial Officer Tom Barrasin, Cardiff Airport Chief Executive Officer Debra Barber, Rob Veron and Cardiff Airport Director Spencer Birns at the 2017 inaugural flight.