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Blue Islands' partnership with the Ports of Jersey is "positive for the Channel Islands as a whole", according to the President of Economic Development, who said the airline will continue to connect Guernsey with over 20 European destinations.
Blue Islands will focus its operations on Jersey, signing up to a long-term base carrier deal, after their government pumped £10m into the business.
However the airline has since said it "will continue to operate an extensive Guernsey schedule including Jersey, Southampton and beyond." More details are expected later this week on Blue Islands' new timetable.
Economic Development President Charles Parkinson indicated that his committee had not been given advance notice of the changes, but that they ought to shore up the airline at an uncertain time for those in the aviation industry.
“We’ve learned recently of the new partnership agreement between the Ports of Jersey and Blue Islands," he said. "Clearly this is an uncertain time for nearly all airlines globally due to the worldwide restrictions on travel imposed as a result of Covid-19.
Pictured: Blue Islands has said it intends to take on many of the profitable routes operated by its now defunct franchise partner, Flybe.
"Blue Islands has provided Jersey’s critical air links during the lockdown period of the pandemic and Aurigny has provided Guernsey’s critical air links. This new partnership agreement is positive for the Channel Islands as a whole. It means that with services provided by two locally based airlines, both Guernsey and Jersey will have secure air connectivity links."
Deputy Parkinson said his committee still sees good air connectivity as a high priority following recent events.
"The committee welcomes Blue Islands’ ongoing commitment to operating Guernsey’s chartered flight links with more than 20 European destinations which is important for our visitor economy, once travel restrictions lift," he said. "The Committee continues to see good air connectivity as a high priority and we look forward to working with Blue Islands and with other operators on the future of air services from Guernsey.”
Pictured top: Deputy Charles Parkinson.
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