Blue Islands ceases trading and cancels flights

Airline Blue Islands has suspended trading, with all future flights cancelled, the company has confirmed.

In a statement, the airline said passengers should not travel to airports unless they have made alternative travel arrangements.

The Channel Islands-based airline, which employed about 100 staff, operated flights to various locations in the British Isles, and also to Bruges and Paris.

Jersey's Minister for Treasury and Resources, Elaine Millar, said the government was working with an alternative airline to ensure Jersey had "reliable and sustainable air links for the long-term."

Millar said: "I am saddened by the announcement that Blue Islands has suspended operations, and my immediate thoughts are with the people whose jobs have been affected and the passengers whose travel will be disrupted.

"For those passengers based in Jersey, government support is ready and available."

She said contingency plans which had been prepared would mean connections were "swiftly reinstated", with priority given to routes essential to the provision of medical services.

The minister said all medical transfer passengers would be supported through the Department of Health, and Ports of Jersey would be providing advice to people affected by flight cancellations.

Blue Islands borrowed £8.5m from the Government of Jersey to help it secure its services during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A report in August revealed the outstanding capital balance was still £7m in June - more than halfway through the loan period.

In a statement on Friday, the airline said all flights it operated had been cancelled.

It directed anyone who had made bookings with Blue Islands directly to contact their bank or provider of the card used to make the booking.

It said for bookings made with its codeshare partner Aurigny, travelling on a Blue Islands flight, people should contact Aurigny, as some flights may still be operating.

"We deeply regret the inconvenience that this will bring to your travel plans" it said.

Blue Islands was launched in 2006, with its origins dating back to 1999, when it was formed initially as Le Cocq's Air Link to supply perishable goods to the Channel Island of Alderney from Bournemouth using Britten Norman Islanders, according to its website.

First passenger services began in 2002, and in 2003 the trading name of Rockhopper was adopted.

In 2006, the airline rebranded as Blue Islands.

The airline's website said in March 2020, the brand "evolved", with an expanded route network.