Loganair and Aurigny step in to cover Channel Islands links lost with closure of Blue Islands

Loganair is stepping in to cover Channel Islands routes lost with the shut down of local carrier Blue Islands on Friday.

 

The UK’s largest regional airline started flights to and from Jersey yesterday (Sunday).

 

Two flights landed in the island from Southampton and Guernsey and the airline is holding crew recruitment days today and tomorrow in St Helier.

 

Special rescue fares starting at £80 one-way are being offered on routes connecting Jersey with Southampton, Bristol, Exeter and Guernsey as well as Guernsey-Southampton.

 

Loganair then plans to establish a new permanent operating base in Jersey.

 

Meanwhile, Guernsey-based Aurigny has scheduled additional services between Guernsey and Southampton, and Guernsey and Jersey to assist Blue Islands passengers.

 

The airline has worked with Guernsey Ports to enable an interim schedule that restores at-risk routes and its own existing schedules “as far as possible”.  

 

Aurigny will be operating at least daily flights between Jersey and Guernsey in an interim schedule running until December 17. The airline will also operate between two and three services a day between Guernsey and Southampton.

 

The carrier is offering a special ‘Get-Me-Home’ fare for travel until today (Monday) at £79.99 one way on all services between Guernsey and Southampton.

 

A special one-way tariff of £49.99 will also apply over the same timeframe on all services between Guernsey and Jersey.

 

Chief executive Nico Bezuidenhout said: “Aurigny’s immediate actions to help Blue Islands passengers underline our commitment to always go further in serving the people of Guernsey and always get travellers home. 

 

“As the only airline truly dedicated to our local communities, Aurigny has moved immediately to introduce new services from Guernsey to Southampton and Jersey to meet the real needs of the market and prevent any further disruption.

 

“We have served the Channel Islands with pride since 1968 and are pleased to return to the essential airbridge route between Guernsey and Jersey. 

 

“We have developed these interim schedules within 18 hours of Blue Islands entering administration and will announce additional frequencies for Christmas and through the entire winter over the coming days.”

 

Loganair chief executive Luke Farajallah said: “This is another sad day for regional aviation, coming so soon after the news about Eastern Airways. 

 

“For almost two decades, the Blue Islands brand has played a vital role in the UK’s regional aviation market, serving Channel Island communities year-round with essential air connectivity.

 

“We understand how important dependable air links are, both for island residents and visitors, and we have a 63-year heritage of serving the regions of the UK.  

 

“In response to the news, we acted immediately to introduce flights to and from Jersey along with special fares available to ensure that affected passengers can continue to travel with minimal disruption, and to provide reassurance at what we know is an unsettling time. 

 

“This will then lead to establishing a new permanent operating base in Jersey.”

 

A spokesperson for Ports of Jersey added: “We thank Loganair for their swift response and commitment to supporting Jersey’s connectivity at this critical moment. 

 

“We look forward to collaborating with them in the weeks and months ahead as we build a strong and sustainable aviation partnership for the island.”