Loganair and newly recapitalised Channel Islands carrier Blue Islands are to collaborate to help fill the regional air connection void left by the collapse of Flybe in March.
The partnership will create a new range of regional air connections across the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
Seamless connections between flights via a single ticket will focus on links via hubs at Southampton and Manchester.
The ability to book journeys in a single ticket through either airline’s website will enable passengers to save the double Air Passenger Duty which would apply if tickets for the flights were purchased separately.
Blue Islands has also completed its move to the same Videcom booking system as used by Loganair.
“This provides certainty of systems connectivity to assure a seamless transfer between flights for customers and their checked baggage,” the carriers said in a joint statement.
The services will soon be available to book as they seek to re-build connectivity to help boost the UK and Channel Islands’ economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The two airlines will link points such as Inverness with Exeter; the Isle of Man with Southampton; and Guernsey and Jersey with Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle.
Loganair operates 43 aircraft as the UK’s largest regional airline following the demise of Flybe just before the crisis.
Blue Islands is expanding its network with a fleet of five aircraft from its traditional Channel Island bases, adding two UK bases with new services including Manchester to Exeter and Manchester to Southampton, after securing a £10 million Jersey government loan.
Loganair chief executive Jonathan Hinkles said: “Providing dependable air services to communities throughout the UK, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man is a core part of the ‘DNA’ of both airlines, and by joining up our networks, we can help many more customers reach their destination.”
Blue Islands’ chief executive Rob Veron said: “We are excited to form this new partnership with Loganair, hand in hand with a significant expansion of our own route network after 15 years of Channel Islands’ centred operations.
“It further enhances Blue Islands’ commitment to deliver robust and reliable regional air connectivity. We are delighted to be able to offer customers an extended route network with the peace of mind of guaranteed connections, Air Passenger Duty savings and the easy convenience of checked-through hold luggage in a single ticket.”
The partnership “once again boosts regional connectivity for the communities we serve in the Channel Islands and the UK using our Manchester and Southampton hubs to connect to destinations on the Loganair route network,” he added.
“Furthermore, it will provide vital support for our visitor economies, particularly in the Channel Islands as we can welcome Loganair customers from Scotland and the north east onto our services to Guernsey and Jersey.”
Connections provided through the arrangement include:
- Flights with Blue Islands from Exeter and Southampton to Manchester meeting Loganair flights at Manchester to Aberdeen, Inverness and Isle of Man;
- Flights with Loganair from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle to Southampton meeting Blue Islands flights to Guernsey and Jersey;
- Blue Islands flights from Jersey to Birmingham and Bristol meeting Loganair flights from those airports to Aberdeen.