Airlines Launch Rescue for 250+ Stranded Blue Islands Passengers
Airlines across the Channel Islands and the UK have stepped in to provide rescue flights for Blue Islands passengers after the Jersey based carrier abruptly ceased trading on Friday, leaving hundreds of journeys cancelled.
The operator, which employed around 100 staff, announced it had stopped flying with immediate effect and had cancelled all future bookings. Carl Walker, chairman of the Jersey Consumer Council, said he understood that more than 1,000 passengers had been displaced as a result.
In response, Aurigny and Loganair have both added extra services to help customers affected by the collapse.
Loganair confirmed it would operate additional flights from Jersey to Guernsey, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton, as well as flights from Guernsey to Southampton, starting on Sunday. Aurigny said it had added services on the Southampton to Guernsey route and the Guernsey to Jersey route, initially running until Wednesday.
Both airlines said they were offering special rescue fares for passengers needing urgent travel on the affected routes.
Loganair said in a statement: “We understand this will be a worrying time for those hoping to travel to and from Jersey and in response we are starting operations from Sunday 16 November.”
An Aurigny spokesperson said the airline was “deeply saddened” by the news of Blue Islands entering administration and had moved quickly to assist passengers across the Channel Islands.
Government funding reaches its limit
Blue Islands said it had been notified that the Government of Jersey could not provide any further financial support. The airline said this left it with no choice but to suspend operations while it explored possible next steps.
A spokesperson said: “This has meant that we now need to suspend flying immediately whilst we consider the options available and how we can help our customers, staff and stakeholders.”
The carrier had borrowed 8.5 million pounds from the Government of Jersey during the Covid 19 pandemic to help safeguard routes. A report published in August revealed that 7 million pounds of the capital remained outstanding as of June.
Jersey’s Minister for Treasury and Resources, Elaine Millar, said the government could not continue to subsidise a private airline indefinitely.
“We have discussed it at very great length, and we cannot keep subsidising private businesses,” she said.
Airports and ports focus on stranded passengers
Ports of Jersey said it was saddened by the airline’s collapse, describing Blue Islands as a valued operator at Jersey Airport for many years. The organisation said the news would disappoint passengers, employees and the wider island community.
Guernsey Ports managing director Ross Coppolo said he hoped the rescue flights provided by Aurigny and others would keep disruption to a minimum.
“Our priority now is passengers who are affected over the coming days,” he said.
Southampton Airport advised travellers not to go to the airport and instead check the Blue Islands website for updates.
“It is with regret we have been notified that Blue Islands has suspended trading, meaning all flights it operated to and from Southampton have been cancelled,” the airport said.
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Concerns grow over travel disruption across the islands
Carl Walker said issues with Blue Islands had been “bubbling under the surface for some time” and that the collapse, combined with recent problems affecting DFDS ferry services, had created serious travel challenges for residents.
“It is a diabolical situation that consumers find themselves in and especially at a really important time of year for families and for businesses,” he said.
“We are in a pickle and yet again, this is the cost of living in Jersey and the cost of living on an island.”
Jersey’s Chamber of Commerce warned that the suspension of Blue Islands services would have immediate and significant implications for the Channel Islands.
It noted that the airline had been the sole provider of inter, island air links and an essential connection to the UK. The chamber welcomed Loganair’s swift intervention to provide temporary cover on key routes.
