Blue Islands 'committed' to CI routes

Monday 14 January 2019

Blue Islands has tried to reassure passengers as Flybe gets sold to a consortium, which includes the Guernsey registered Stobart Group.

The two airlines have a franchise agreement, which sees Flybe branded Blue Islands planes operate services including the Guernsey/Jersey and Guernsey to Southampton routes.

Virgin Atlantic will be the main shareholder in the new consortium buying Flybe, but Flybe and Stobart Air, a part of the Stobart Group, will be included. The deal's value is expected to be worth significantly less than the company's stock price when it last closed on the Markets. 

Two months ago, Flybe put itself up for sale as it continued to struggle with Brexit uncertainty, rising fuel prices and general difficulties in the aviation sector, but it is still one of the largest and best recognised regional airlines in the UK. 

Under this new deal, Virgin will operate the Flybe's network of flights using both Flybe itself and Stobart Air as carriers. 

Pictured: Flybe has been bought by a new consortium. 

With questions being asked about what will happen to local services that Flybe operates, its franchise partner sought to reassure passengers. 

Blue Islands said it is a "wholly independent, locally owned airline that operates as a Flybe franchise partner utilising the Flybe brand and sales channels."

The airline added that it remains "fully committed to serving the Channel Islands and customers can continue to book all Blue Islands operated services at flybe.com, and that Blue Islands "look forward to working with the new Combined Group."

Pictured top: A Blue Islands aircraft with Flybe branding.