Airline to trial Isle of Man direct route to Channel Islands

Return flight prices start at around £470, the airline says

A trial of direct flights between the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands is to begin next month after feedback from local businesses.

Airline Blue Islands have announced the service will run for five weeks initially, from 7 November to 7 December.

Return flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays are set to cost around £470.

A regular service could be introduced early next year if the link proves to be successful, the airline said.

The direct link between Jersey and the Isle of Man will also include a connection to and from Guernsey.

Blue Islands CEO Rob Veron said interest was gauged "through surveys and discussions with key businesses" which provided "insights into the likely market requirement".

Some seats have been booked in advance by a number of corporate partners which had allowed the Channel Islands-based airline to "explore the longer-term viability of a year-round service".

'Numerous benefits'

CEO of Jersey Finance Joe Moynihan said "improved connectivity and streamlined travel" could bring "numerous benefits" for businesses in the three crown dependencies.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce said members had "longstanding concerns" about the Isle of Man's air links, and "the need to improve services to help business travellers and to support the visitor economy".

It therefore welcomed "all efforts which have the potential to address these concerns", he added.

Mr Veron said: "If the trial is successful a full scheduled service could be launched early in 2024."

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