New airline is 'real opportunity' for hospitality

Marcus Calvani said Loganair could make Jersey accessible to tourists from the north of England and Scotland

Hospitality bosses have said a change in airline would bring the industry more opportunities.

Jersey Hospitality Association chief executive Marcus Calvani said the replacement of Blue Islands' service with Loganair "could mean a much stronger winter schedule, better off-season capacity and greater links to UK routes".

Loganair chief executive Luke Farajallah said the company wanted to pick up routes operated by Blue Islands after the airline announced on Friday it was ceasing trading.

Mr Calvani said he hoped Jersey's hospitality providers would be able to reach new audiences in the north of England and Scotland which he described as "a potentially huge market for us".

Mr Calvani said: "We've got a real opportunity with Loganair.

"They are a substantially larger entity. They have got over 30 aircraft and they have a very good understanding of island economies."

He said a "more stable and more reliable" regional carrier presented an opportunity.

"Reliability equals confidence when it comes to travel," he said.

"While it is an immensely sad moment and a confusing moment I imagine for everybody, we've got to look forward and we've got to be positive," he added.

Loganair is a Scottish regional airline and primarily operates domestic flights within the UK.

The airline said it was working on providing a service from Guernsey to Southampton but as the route has to be licensed it was currently subject to States of Guernsey approval.