Blue Islands to focus on Jersey

Monday 06 July 2020

Blue Islands will focus its operations on Jersey after their government pumped £10m into the airline - however the airline has since said it "will continue to operate an extensive Guernsey schedule including Jersey, Southampton and beyond."

Jersey’s Government will provide a loan of up to £10m, to be repaid over six years, as part of a long-term 'base carrier deal' between Blue Islands and the Ports of Jersey.

Blue Islands will focus its operations in Jersey, taking on many of the former Flybe routes, safeguarding Jersey's "vital regional connectivity" into the UK.

Blue Islands CEO Rob Veron said that following the collapse of Flybe in March, the airline had "swiftly identified the opportunity" to serve its ex-franchise partner's most profitable routes.

The loan facility, together with an agreement with the Ports of Jersey, will reportedly allow Blue Islands to "re-emerge from the pandemic as a long-term, sustainable, strategic partner" for the island. 

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the Government of Jersey and the ‘base carrier’ contract with the Ports of Jersey," he said. "This unique combination provides a strong platform to provide vital connectivity for islanders and will play a key role in the recovery of the island’s economy. 

Pictured: Rob Veron said Blue Islands will run Flybe's profitable routes.

“Our focus is now to deliver sustainable, high-frequency, year-round regional services for many years to come. We recognise the important strategic role we need to play, as the island’s locally based regional airline, in Jersey’s recovery plans.”

More details on Blue Islands's new timetable, and what part Guernsey will play in that, are expected later this week. 

Since this morning's release however, a commitment has been made that Blue Islands will "continue to operate an extensive Guernsey schedule including Jersey, Southampton and beyond."

The carrier has provided humanitarian flights for Jersey during the lockdown, maintaining the island's connectivity with its key links. 

“We understand that there exists much demand for regional services as restrictions are lifted," said Mr Veron. "In a recent survey of over 4,000 of our passengers, more than two thirds said that they intended to travel within three months of flights restarting and over 50% of those initial trips would be to visit friends and family. 

Pictured: Aurigny is now the sole airline based in Guernsey.

“Whilst we may not have been operating as usual over the last few months, we have been busy planning the relaunch of Blue Islands, from our website, to our customer focused product offering, we’re bringing back 'The Welcome Difference'. We are excited to share this with you over the coming weeks.”