We're coming - airline boss tells passengers

Loganair has set up rescue flights for Blue Islands passengers affected by the firm's collapse

An airline boss says he wants to reassure passengers flights operated by a collapsed airline will return as his firm plans to take over the services.

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

Loganair - based at Glasgow Airport - along with Guernsey airline Aurigny have agreed to put on rescue flights to help passengers left displaced by the folding of Blue Islands.

Mr Farajallah said final details were being worked out for Loganair to start operating Blue Islands' old services to destinations such as Guernsey, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton.

He said the airline wanted to "ramp up to a full schedule" by March following the initial rescue flights.

He said it would also consider taking on routes announced by Blue Islands to locations like Leeds-Bradford and East Midlands along with summer and winter charters.

Mr Farajallah added Loganair was planning to take on as many Blue Islands staff as possible.

"We're coming, there will be another airline established very quickly in Jersey," Mr Farajallah said.

"We're looking forward to working with the Government of Jersey and to demonstrate to the people of Jersey what a strong, reliable, dependable airline can look like."

The Government of Jersey said: "We thank Loganair for their swift response and commitment to supporting Jersey's connectivity at this critical time."