Loganair to bid for inter-island air route

Loganair began rescue flights alongside bailiwick airline Aurigny after the collapse of Blue Islands

Loganair will apply for a licence to service the air route between Jersey and Guernsey on a longer term basis, the airline has said.

The States of Guernsey said operators of the "vital" inter-island route would require a licence from 15 January to increase resilience following the collapse of Blue Islands.

Loganair began rescue flights on Saturday, alongside bailiwick-owned airline Aurigny, which also indicated it was exploring options beyond its current inter-island "recovery" schedules.

Luke Farajallah, Loganair chief executive, said it was important to have multiple operators on the route.

Mr Farajallah said: "We're looking at that now and we think that it's a route that should be served by two airlines and under no circumstances do we feel that our presence on that route would impact or change anything for the negative for the people of Guernsey.

"I can understand how the resilience across Jersey and Guernsey is a key part of the decision-making process.

"So I very much hope when the decision is made, it recognises that two airlines with resilience are better than one."

Aurigny previously said it was "totally committed" to building "a vital air bridge between Guernsey and Jersey" and confirmed it would apply to run the route from the new year.