Blue Islands collapse: Advice for passengers

Advice has been issued for Blue Islands passengers after the airline ceased trading

Advice has been issued for passengers affected by the collapse of Jersey-based airline Blue Islands.

The Channel Islands-based operator confirmed on Friday it had suspended trading and cancelled all future flights to destinations including Jersey, Guernsey, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton.

Airlines Aurigny and Loganair have both put on extra flights to their schedules to help passengers whose original booking had been cancelled.

The Government of Jersey advised Blue Islands passengers to check travel insurance policies or credit card cover they might have along with identifying alternative flights or ferry crossings.

"We ask islanders to behave respectfully and considerately towards airline and airport staff, and each other during what may be a distressing time for them," the government said.

It said there were "enough spare seats" on British Airways and EasyJet flights up until Sunday from Heathrow and Gatwick to help passengers heading back from the UK to Jersey.

The government added: "Further options exist from London Luton, Birmingham, and Manchester Airports.

"Ferry services from Portsmouth with DFDS are available on Saturday 15 November and Monday 17 November."

Blue Islands ceased trading on Friday

The Civil Aviation Authority advised those with flights booked not to go to the airport and urged customers to make alternative travel arrangements.

It has also offered advice on reclaiming the money spent with the airline.

The Jersey Consumer Council said as the company was established in Alderney, normal UK travel protections did not apply.

Carl Walker, the consumer council's chairman, said the core advice for displaced passengers - believed to number about 1,000 - was to find an alternative booking and claim the cost back from their travel insurance provider.

"It will be expensive trying to book onto a flight for the next day, tomorrow or next week, but that's the only option people have," he said.

Mr Walker said he understood more than 20,000 advanced tickets for Blue Islands flights had been sold.

He said people in this position should contact the provider of the payment, with those paid by credit card able to apply for a refund under the Consumer Credit Act.

Medical appointments

Mr Walker said people who paid by debit card would need to speak to their bank and anyone with a package holiday with a Blue Islands flight should speak to the travel agency it was booked through.

He added: "We are in that gap between the UK and EU, so normal civil aviation rules don't apply and that means the government or others don't step in and bring people back home."

The island's government said the Travel Office in Health and Care Jersey was working on helping passengers who needed to travel to the UK for medical appointments.

"If you are booked to travel over the weekend (15-16 November), you will be prioritised and contacted as soon as possible," it said.

"We will be working through bookings in departure order and clinical importance.

"If you are booked to travel next week, the Travel Office will call you according to your flight schedule by 5pm on Monday 17 November."

On Saturday, Ports of Jersey said Loganair would help with flights including the essential medical appointment route to Southampton.

Support for employees

Jersey's government said its Employment, Social Security and Housing team would be on hand to help Blue Islands staff.

It said affected individuals can visit its Union Street office or contact the department on 01534 444444.

"A briefing for employees will be held on Monday 17 November at 2pm at Union Street, to give an overview of the support on offer," the government added.

Where did Blue Islands fly?

Blue Islands was initially formed as Le Cocq's Air Link to supply perishable goods to Alderney from Bournemouth.

Passenger services began in 2002 and in 2003, the airline started operating under the trading name Rockhopper before rebranding to Blue Islands three years later.

Based in Jersey and operating inter-island flights to Guernsey, the airline had routes to Bristol, Dublin, East Midlands, Exeter, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Norwich, Ostend-Bruges, Paris and Southampton.

It also operated between Southampton and Leeds Bradford as well as between Bristol and East Midlands.