Flybe has entered into a new franchise partnership with Channel Islands carrier Blue Islands.
Blue Islands will operate six routes under the 10-year agreement: Southampton to Guernsey and Jersey; Guernsey to Jersey; Bristol to Jersey; London City to Jersey and a winter service from Jersey to Geneva.
The deal with Blue Islands, which operates five ATR aircraft, starts on June 6.
The two carriers said the franchise agreement has been structured to accommodate additional aircraft and routes if required.
Flybe chief executive, Saad Hammad, said: “This news benefits customers from the beginning of summer with a greater choice of connections to UK and European destinations.
“It is a win-win for both airlines. For Flybe, our brand will retain a presence on key routes to and from the Channel Islands and, for Blue Islands, the alliance is a major opportunity in being a recognised brand of Europe’s largest regional airline.”
Rob Veron, Blue Islands’ managing director added: “Flybe’s extensive marketing bandwidth spanning a wide range of sales distribution channels will enable Guernsey and Jersey to enjoy increased exposure to potential new visitors, boosting the economies of both islands.
“Travel from the islands will also become easier with ‘through tickets’ allowing seamless connections to UK and European destinations throughout the Flybe network including Aberdeen, Dublin, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Amsterdam as well as summer destinations such as Faro and Malaga.”
Veron added: “When all routes are on sale, we will be able to offer visitors and Channel islanders alike a huge choice of UK and European through ticket connections to and from Guernsey via Southampton and to and from Jersey via London City and Southampton.
“Not only do ‘through tickets’ allow significant Air Passenger Duty savings, these tickets offer the peace of mind and security of ‘connecting’ services, rather than the uncertainty of purchasing individual ‘point-to-point’ flights.
“What’s more, the single terminals of London City and Southampton remove the hassle of transferring between flights at larger airports.”