Aurigny aims to run inter-island flights long-term

Nico Bezuidenhout said the airline was happy to step up and support affected Blue Islands passengers

Flights between Guernsey and Jersey will be replaced long-term by a Bailiwick airline, its CEO has said.

Blue Islands, which employed about 100 staff, announced on Friday it had ceased trading and cancelled all bookings. It operated inter-island flights and others to various locations in the British Isles - and also to Bruges and Paris.

Airlines Aurigny and Loganair have stepped in to offer "rescue flights" for Blue Islands passengers after the company's collapse and advice has been issued for passengers affected.

The States of Guernsey said there would be "extensions" to Guernsey Airport's opening hours "where necessary" to accommodate displaced and affected passengers over the coming days.

Aurigny CEO Nico Bezuidenhout said the company, which had been in the bailiwick since 1968, would provide the inter-island service long-term in the future.

"I think that the route between Guernsey and Jersey for the longest time was an absolute cornerstone route for Aurigny as a route.

"I don't think that there's actually a carrier that exists that has served that route for longer than Aurigny has, so we will return to that route and to provide that connectivity for islanders," he said.

Loganair is also planning to operate the inter-island route and Blue Islands other routes.

Mr Bezuidenhout said the situation was "tremendously unexpected" and the airline would now step up to support those affected.

"Our responsibility is to try and get passengers back as soon as possible on their services as reliably as possible and to then give that certainty of capacity going forward," he said.

Regarding Aurigny being financially stable and able to take on replacing Blue Islands' flights, Mr Bezuidenhout said with the company being a States' asset, it was in "a monthly breakeven position so therefore not a cash drain on the consumer".

Richard Thomasson said Guernsey Airport was there to support Aurigny

Richard Thomasson, Guernsey Airport's director, said the news was "certainly a surprise to all of us".

He said: "Since then we've been in full contingency mode - it's a really good collaboration with Aurigny... we've been really committed to support already in those action plans, revised schedules - those are in full swing.

"We've been very committed to make sure those lifeline routes have been protected, certainly to Southampton."

Mr Thomasson said it continued to be an "evolving situation" but that the airport was there to support Aurigny "to make sure that if they want to operate additional services, then we're here to support them".

'Work taking place'

Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, President of the Policy & Resources Committee (P&R), said her thoughts were with those whose livelihoods and travels was "impacted".

She said: "I'm grateful to the teams at Aurigny and the airport for acting extremely swiftly by putting on additional flights to make sure people can get home.

"Having the ability to do so at such short notice is undoubtedly a benefit of having our own airline.

"A huge amount of work is currently taking place across the States to restore connectivity and stability."

P&R said Guernsey Airport and Aurigny had published advice for affected Blue Islands customers.

Blue Islands aircrafts have been at a standstill on tarmac at Guernsey Airport since the announcement on Friday

Guernsey Chamber said it was "working closely" with Jersey's Chamber of Commerce to "ensure that our respective business communities receive the support they need during this challenging period".

It said: "Together, we'll be engaging with our respective governments and ports to explore alternative, long term contingencies and safeguard essential travel links for channel island businesses and residents alike.

"We also recognise the importance of medical and other essential lifeline travel - ensuring continuity of these routes is a priority in our engagement with governments and transport providers."

The chamber said the situation highlighted the need for "stronger policy co-ordination between our islands' governments to build and sustain the vital transport connections the Channel Islands and our wider region depend on".