Blue Islands

{{short description|Airline of the Channel Islands}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}

{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}

{{Infobox airline

| airline = Blue Islands

| logo = Blue Islands logo.svg

| logo_size = 200

| image = Braunschweig Airport Blue Islands ATR 72-500 G-ISLN (DSC09071).jpg

| caption = A Blue Islands ATR-72-500

| frequent_flyer = Blue Skies Club

| fleet_size = 4

| IATA = SI{{cite web|title=IATA – Airline and Airport Code Search|url=http://www.iata.org/publications/Pages/code-search.aspx|website=iata.org|access-date=13 April 2015}}

| ICAO = BCI

| callsign = BLUE ISLAND

| founded = * {{nowrap|1999 (as Le Cocq's Airlink)}}

  • 2003 (as Rockhopper)
  • 2006 (as Blue Islands)

| headquarters = Forest, Guernsey

| aoc =

| bases = * Guernsey

| hubs =

| focus_cities =

| destinations =

| key_people = * {{nowrap|Rob Veron (Chief Executive)}}

| num_employees =

| website = {{url|blueislands.com}}

}}

Blue Islands Limited is a regional airline of the Channel Islands. Its head office is in Forest, Guernsey, and its registered office is in Saint Anne, Alderney.{{cite web |title=Blue Islands company information |url=https://www.blueislands.com/company-information/ |website=Blue Islands |access-date=15 February 2023 }} It operates scheduled services from and within the Channel Islands to the United Kingdom and Europe. Its main bases of operation are Guernsey Airport and Jersey Airport.

Blue Islands flights operated under the Flybe brand from June 2016{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-35772825|title=Channel Islands airline Blue Islands signs Flybe deal|work=BBC News|date=10 March 2016|access-date=2016-05-07}} until Flybe was placed into administration on 5 March 2020.{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/beleaguered-flybe-ceases-operations/137095.article |title= Beleaguered Flybe ceases operations |author= Alfred Chua |date= 5 March 2020 |work= Flightglobal}}

History

File:Blue Islands ATR-42 in new livery.jpg

The airline was formally established in 2001 (but had been operating since 1999 as a small operation) by Le Cocq's Stores in Alderney and was initially known as Le Cocq's Airlink. It started operations carrying perishable goods from Bournemouth in the south of England to the island of Alderney. Scheduled services were added on the same route on 1 February 2002. The trading name Rockhopper was adopted on 29 August 2003.{{cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= Flight International | page= 87 | date= 27 March 2007}} In 2004, ownership changed to Healthspan Leisure, and in 2005, Jetstream aircraft were added to the fleet.{{Cite journal | title = UK & Ireland Airlines Guide 2011 | page = 5 | journal = Airliner World | date = March 2011}} The company moved its main operating base from Alderney to Jersey in January 2006. Its headquarters are now at Healthspan House, The Grange, St. Peter Port, Guernsey. The airline is wholly owned by the Healthspan Group. The company changed the trading name from Rockhopper, whose call sign had been "Blue Island", to Blue Islands on 14 February 2006.{{cite journal |last1=Singfield |first1=Tom |title=blue islands An Expansion Strategy |journal=Airliner World |date=September 2006 |page=60 |publisher=Key Publishing}} This move coincided with the delivery of the first of its new fleet of 19-seater BAe Jetstream 31 aircraft and a new air link with the Isle of Man.

The deployment of the BAe Jetstream aircraft on some Guernsey-Jersey services meant Blue Islands gained a majority share of the market from its competitor (according to Airliner World magazine), helped by the introduction of an hourly shuttle service between Guernsey and Jersey known as the Blue Shuttle. In December 2007, Blue Islands' share of the inter-island market was estimated to be over 50%, and in December 2009 its market share had risen to 68%. Blue Islands went on to launch new routes from the Channel Islands to Beauvais–Tillé (ceased July 2008), Southampton, Geneva and Zurich. A Dornier 328-110 (leased from ScotAirways) was added to the fleet in 2007. However, by late 2010, its market share on the Guernsey-Jersey route had fallen to below 50% and its main competitor Aurigny was regaining much ground in the Channel Islands market.{{cite web|url=http://www.ifcfeed.com/guernsey-articles/Aurigny-grows-its-share-of-the-air-travel-market.aspx|title=Aurigny grows its share of the air travel market|date=8 December 2010|website=International Finance Centre|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008211958/http://www.ifcfeed.com/guernsey-articles/Aurigny-grows-its-share-of-the-air-travel-market.aspx|archive-date=8 October 2011}}

In 2010, the airline added an ATR 42-320 to its fleet. It emerged in July 2010 that Blue Islands had launched a bid with the States of Guernsey to buy its competitor, Aurigny. This caused much controversy in the Channel Islands, and a Facebook page in opposition to the proposed buy-out gained nearly 600 members. Those in favour of the deal claimed that it did not make sense for the two individual airlines to continue to make such large losses whilst operating in competition with each other. The failure of the deal was announced on 14 September 2010, amidst doubts over the security of Guernsey's slots at Gatwick Airport.

A number of changes took place in 2011. Rob Veron was appointed as managing director and the Trislander fleet was repainted and refitted for a planned new hub at Alderney with routes to Southampton and Cherbourg. However, the application was denied because the start date was within six months of the application date.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-12529413|title=Blue Islands new route is refused by Alderney States|date=21 February 2011|website=BBC|access-date=28 November 2011}} Blue Islands announced that a full withdrawal from Alderney would take place on 9 May 2011{{cite news|title=Blue Islands pulls out of Alderney routes|work=BBC News|date=24 April 2011|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-13180584|access-date=28 November 2011}} (coincidentally Liberation Day), after 11 years of services. In March 2011, it announced a twice-daily weekday route (with a once-daily flight on Sundays) from Jersey to London City Airport,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-jersey-12624886|title=London City air link for Jersey|work=BBC News|date=2 March 2011}} and in April a route to Bristol was announced. Daily services between Jersey and Manchester Airport{{cite news|title=Blue Islands announces new route to Manchester|work=BBC News|date=7 September 2011|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-14824637|access-date=28 November 2011}} were announced in September, along with the restoration of a thrice-weekly service to Bournemouth Airport,{{cite news|title=Blue Islands starts new Bournemouth service|work=BBC News|date=14 September 2011|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-14918808|access-date=28 November 2011}} in competition with the airline's own regular services to Southampton, as well as those of Flybe. In November, the planned retirement of the Trislander fleet was made public, with the last day of operations to be 4 December.{{cite news|title=Blue Islands selling off Trislander aircraft|work=BBC News|date=12 November 2011|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-15706660|access-date=28 November 2011}} This was because they were 'too noisy, old and small'.{{cite web|title=Blue Islands Is Selling Its Trislanders|url=http://www.islandfm.com/news/index.php?storyid=15482&s=2|publisher=Island FM|access-date=29 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426010601/http://www.islandfm.com/news/index.php?storyid=15482&s=2|archive-date=26 April 2012}}File:ATR 42-320 (G-ISLH) of Blue Islands at Bristol Airport, England 15Aug2016 arp.jpg at Bristol Airport, England in 2016.]]

On 16 June 2012, a Blue Islands ATR 42-300 registered G-DRFC operating from Guernsey to Jersey suffered a collapse of the left main landing gear while exiting the runway; none of the 43 people on board were injured in the accident.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-jersey-18495628|title=Landing gear failed in aircraft|date=2012-06-18|work=BBC News|access-date=2020-01-23|language=en-GB}} Blue Islands applied to the States of Guernsey for a license to operate a twice-daily Guernsey-Bristol service in competition with Aurigny. A licence hearing was due to take place in January 2013 regarding the application. The application was withdrawn as Blue Islands wishes to concentrate on building the Jersey base.

To further supplement its fleet, Blue Islands purchased an ATR 42-320 from Air Atlantique Assistance, entering service on 23 August 2012. Blue Islands announced winter service from Jersey to Chambéry in August 2012, and in October it announced services to Amsterdam and Paris, which would start in February 2013.{{cite news|title=Direct flights to Paris & Amsterdam in 2013|url=http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline_jerseynews/displayarticle.asp?id=501764|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418173400/http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline_jerseynews/displayarticle.asp?id=501764|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 April 2013|access-date=5 January 2013|newspaper=Channelonline.tv|date=16 October 2012}} A further ATR 42-320, registered G-ISLH, entered service in July 2013 and in December 2013 an ATR 72-500, registered G-ISLI, was damp leased from Nordic Aviation Capital to provide extra capacity on the Guernsey to Southampton service. The latter aircraft type is now replacing the ATR 42 fleet. A new ATR 72-500 arrived in October 2016, to replace an ATR 42-320 which was retired. Another ATR 42-320 was sold in 2017, and was replaced by another ATR 72.{{cite web |date=14 April 2021 |title=Blue Islands adds larger ATR 72 aircraft to Jersey base |url=http://www.aviationtribune.com/airlines/europe/blue-islands-adds-larger-atr-72-aircraft-jersey-base/ |website=www.aviationtribune.com |access-date=27 October 2016 |archive-date=28 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028020023/http://www.aviationtribune.com/airlines/europe/blue-islands-adds-larger-atr-72-aircraft-jersey-base/ |url-status=dead }} In October 2018, Blue Islands took delivery a fourth ATR 72-500. This aircraft was the first to be delivered during the Flybe franchise without Flybe colours; it sported a modified version of Blue Islands' original livery with small titles, and a white fuselage with blue engines. The airline's last ATR 42 was retired in 2022, following the delivery of another ATR 72.{{Cite web |title=Blue Islands adds an additional ATR 72 aircraft |url=https://www.blueislands.com/news/posts/2022-1/june/blue-islands-adds-an-additional-atr-72-aircraft/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Blue Islands |language=en}}

During 2017 and 2018, a summer seasonal service between Guernsey and Cardiff was operated.{{Cite web |title=New Guernsey - Cardiff service for summer 2017 |url=https://www.blueislands.com/news/posts/2016/november/new-guernsey-cardiff-service-for-summer-2017/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Blue Islands |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Blue Islands' Guernsey - Cardiff direct summer service returns |url=https://www.blueislands.com/news/posts/2018/may/blue-islands-guernsey-cardiff-direct-summer-service-returns/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Blue Islands |language=en}} In 2019, new routes from Jersey to Newquay{{Cite web |title=New flights to Cornwall this summer as Blue Islands add third new route |url=https://www.blueislands.com/news/posts/2019/february/new-flights-to-cornwall-this-summer-as-blue-islands-add-third-new-route/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Blue Islands |language=en}} and from Guernsey to Liverpool{{Cite web |title=New Blue Islands Liverpool to Guernsey service takes off |url=https://www.liverpoolairport.com/news/2019/05/new-blue-islands-liverpool-to-guernsey-service-takes-off-3 |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Liverpool John Lennon Airport |language=en}} and London Southend{{Cite web |title=New Blue Islands service from Guernsey to London Southend for convenient access to London starts |url=https://www.airport.gg/news/article/new-blue-islands-service-guernsey-london-southend-convenient-access-london-starts |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Guernsey Airport |language=en}} were launched, however were axed the following year.{{Cite web |last=Pouteaux |first=Juliet |title=Blue Islands calls a halt to Southend, Liverpool flights |url=https://guernseypress.com//news/2020/01/17/blue-islands-calls-a-halt-to-southend-liverpool-flights/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=guernseypress.com |date=17 January 2020 |language=en}}File:G-ISLL (34288739053).jpg

=Franchise deal with Flybe=

In January 2016, Blue Islands revealed their franchise deal with Flybe, which allowed Blue Islands to operate their flights in Flybe branded aircraft. Flybe branded flights began 6 June 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/news/channel/update/2016-01-11/blue-islands-flights-to-be-run-through-flybe/|title=Blue Islands flights to be run through Flybe}}

In July 2016, Blue Islands was heavily criticized by the States of Jersey and Guernsey after several aircraft were found to have technical problems, causing high numbers of delays and cancellations. This caused weeks of disruption to Blue Islands' services and meetings with States officials to put measures into place to prevent events like this from occurring again.{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/news/channel/story/2016-08-05/anger-and-concern-after-blue-islands-disruption/|title=Anger and concern after Blue Islands disruption}} CICRA (the Channel Islands competition watchdog) wrote a letter to the airline, asking them to address the measures and the benefits of the franchise deal with Flybe.{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/news/channel/update/2016-09-19/competition-watchdog-to-question-blue-islands-flybe-franchise/|title=Competition watchdog to question Blue Islands/Flybe franchise}}

In December 2016, CICRA accused Blue Islands of contravening and potentially breaking the Channel Islands' competition laws through the Flybe franchise deal. The watchdog says that the deal "...may have restricted competitive choices, including schedules and which routes the competitors can fly." They say that the airline's response to its letter was not satisfactory and has now started a full investigation into the airline and the franchise.{{cite web|url=http://www.bailiwickexpress.com/jsy/news/bi/?t=i#.WFPUrVxqhsB|title=Airlines investigated for potential competition law breach|first=Bailiwick|last=Express}}

= Post-Flybe relaunch =

On 5 March 2020, Flybe ceased operations and entered administration,{{Cite web |title=Flybe enters administration |url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/03/05/flybe-enters-administration/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Business Traveller |language=en-GB}} forcing Blue Islands to resume flying under its own brand and reactivate its own reservation system.{{Cite news |date=2020-03-05 |title=Flybe partner Blue Islands to run 'uninterrupted' |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-guernsey-51728965 |access-date=2022-12-10}} Immediately following Flybe's demise, Blue Islands announced it would begin flying to Birmingham and Exeter from Jersey, two former Flybe routes.{{Cite web |title=Blue Islands secures Birmingham and Exeter routes for Jersey passengers |url=https://www.blueislands.com/news/posts/2020/march/blue-islands-secures-birmingham-and-exeter-routes-for-jersey-passengers/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Blue Islands |language=en}} However, shortly after these routes initially commenced, the airline was forced to ground all aircraft following Guernsey and Jersey, as well as the United Kingdom, entering lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the suspension of service, the Government of Jersey announced it would subsidize the airline to operate 'essential flights' from Jersey to Southampton, and later to London Gatwick, in order to transport key workers and medical patients requiring off-island care.{{Cite web |last=Jersey |first=States of |title=Government of Jersey |url=http://www.gov.je:80/News/2020/pages/governmentblueislands.aspx |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=gov.je |language=en}}

In June 2020, the Government of Jersey announced it would provide a £10 million loan to the airline in order to facilitiate the return of its regularly scheduled operations. Following this, the company agreed to a 10-year contract with Jersey Airport to maintain its Jersey aircraft and crew base.{{Cite web |last=Jersey |first=States of |title=Government of Jersey |url=http://www.gov.je:80/News/2020/pages/blueislandsloan.aspx |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=gov.je |language=en}} In August, Blue Islands officially announced it would relaunch operations, alongside the unveiling of a new livery. As part of the relaunch, airline resumed service from Jersey to Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Exeter, Guernsey and Southampton, as well as from Guernsey to Southampton. Jersey to London City service, which was operated before the pandemic, would not resume. The airline also announced intentions to expand its fleet and take over additional routes that were lost following Flybe's closure.{{Cite web |title=Blue Islands is back! |url=https://www.blueislands.com/news/posts/2020/july/blue-islands-is-back/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Blue Islands |language=en}} Shortly after, Blue Islands announced it would open a base in Exeter, marking the first time the airline would base aircraft outside of the Channel Islands, and launch twice-daily weekday flights between Exeter and Manchester.{{Cite web |last=Turner |first=Charlotte |date=2020-03-13 |title=New airline takes over former Flybe route from Exeter |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/ports-logistics/new-airline-takes-over-former-17914348 |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Business Live |language=en}} It was then announced that the company would open a base in Southampton, and launch flights from Southampton to Dublin and Manchester. The latter routes were to be in direct competition with Eastern Airways, who had also announced intentions to open a Southampton base following Flybe's collapse. Both bases were planned to open in September 2020, however this was pushed back into 2021 and eventually 2022,{{Cite web |last=Ltd |first=Jacobs Media Group |title=Blue Islands revives Jersey and Exeter services |url=http://travelweekly.co.uk/articles/384595/blue-islands-revives-jersey-and-exeter-services |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Travel Weekly |language=en}} until in February 2022 the plans for both bases were officially scrapped.

In September 2020, Blue Islands commenced a codeshare agreement with Scottish regional airline Loganair,{{Cite web |title=Loganair and Blue Islands Partnership to Connect Channel Islands & Uk Regions |url=https://www.blueislands.com/news/posts/2020/july/loganair-and-blue-islands-partnership-to-connect-channel-islands-uk-regions/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Blue Islands |language=en}} enabling passengers travelling on Blue Islands' Southampton network to connect onto Aberdeen (via Manchester), Edinburgh, Inverness (via Manchester), Glasgow and Newcastle, as well as from Exeter to Aberdeen and Inverness (both via Manchester). The deal would also allow Loganair to feed passengers onto Blue Islands flights to the Channel Islands from several UK airports, including Birmingham and Bristol. In November 2021, it was announced that this agreement would expand into a full commercial partnership between both Blue Islands and Loganair as well as Aurigny. Under the expanded agreement, passengers would be able to connect onto the entirety of the three airlines' networks, and earn loyalty points for each of the airlines' loyalty schemes on every flight.{{Cite web |title=New Aurigny, Blue Islands & Loganair partnership |url=https://www.blueislands.com/news/posts/2021/november/new-partnership-brings-boost-for-uk-regional-air-connectivity/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Blue Islands |language=en}} The partnership announcement also included a formal non-competitive pact between Aurigny and Blue Islands on routes from Guernsey, as well as a route sharing agreement on flights between Guernsey and Southampton, whereby both airlines would operate a select number of daily flights at different times.{{Cite news |date=2021-04-20 |title=Aurigny and Blue Islands announce flight sharing between Channel Islands and UK |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-guernsey-56804020 |access-date=2022-12-10}} As of December 2022 however, the partnership has not fully commenced.

In 2021, Blue Islands resumed scheduled service to Europe with the addition of flights to both Dublin{{Cite web |title=Fly Jersey Dublin and Jersey Norwich |url=https://www.blueislands.com/news/posts/2021/september/new-direct-flights-from-jersey-to-dublin-norwich/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Blue Islands |language=en}} and Rennes{{Cite web |title=Jersey Rennes flights for summer 2022 |url=https://www.blueislands.com/news/posts/2022-1/march/blue-islands-launches-new-jersey-rennes-flights/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Blue Islands |language=en}} from Jersey. Dublin services were initially operated via Belfast City Airport due to licensing issues.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-28 |title=Blue Islands unable to fly direct Jersey to Dublin route |url=https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2022-03-27/blue-islands-unable-to-fly-direct-jersey-to-dublin-route |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=ITV News |language=en}} Seasonal service from Jersey to Norwich also commenced in the same year.{{Cite web |title=New Jersey - Norwich flights |url=https://www.blueislands.com/news/posts/2022-1/may/new-norwich-jersey-flights/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Blue Islands |language=en}} The company also expressed interest in flying to Luxembourg{{Cite web |title=Blue Islands invites business community to express interest in direct Jersey-Guernsey-Luxembourg route |url=https://www.blueislands.com/news/posts/2018/august/blue-islands-invites-business-community-to-express-interest-in-direct-jersey-guernsey-luxembourg-route/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Blue Islands |language=en}} and resuming service to the Isle of Man,{{Cite web |title=Jersey - Isle of Man route survey |url=https://www.blueislands.com/news/posts/2022-1/october/blue-islands-exploring-interest-in-isle-of-man-service/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Blue Islands |language=en}} which both see demand from the financial services industries in both Jersey and Guernsey. It was later announced that service from the Isle of Man to Jersey would resume in November 2023.{{Cite news |date=2023-10-05 |title=Airline to trial Isle of Man direct route to Channel Islands |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-67019340 |access-date=2023-10-29}} Service to Birmingham was suspended in October 2024, citing competition from easyJet.{{Cite web |last=Jeune |first=James |date=2024-10-15 |title=Blue Islands to suspend Jersey to Birmingham winter flights |url=https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2024/10/15/blue-islands-to-suspend-jersey-to-birmingham-winter-flights/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=Jersey Evening Post |language=en-GB}}

Destinations

As of December 2024, Blue Islands operates the following services:{{cite web|url=https://www.blueislands.com/get-to-know-us/route-map/|title=Blue Islands Route Map|website=blueislands.com|language=en-GB}}{{cite web|url=https://www.blueislands.com/where-we-fly/new-routes/|title=New Routes|website=blueislands.com|language=en-GB|access-date=8 July 2020|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225054323/https://www.blueislands.com/where-we-fly/new-routes/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.blueislands.com/where-we-fly/destinations/|title=Destination Guide|website=blueislands.com|language=en-GB}}

class="wikitable sortable"
Country

!City/region

!Airport

!Notes

!Refs

FranceParisParis-Charles de Gaulle {{Airline seasonal}}style="text-align:center;"align=center|{{cite news | url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250214-sins25cdg | title=Blue Islands Adds Jersey – Paris in NS25 | work=Aeroroutes | date=14 February 2025 }}
rowspan="2" |NetherlandsGroningenGroningen Airport Eelde{{airline seasonal|Seasonal Charter}}style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web|title=Summer 2019 will see more Dutch tourists enjoy the Channel Islands|url=https://www.blueislands.com/news/posts/2018/november/summer-2019-will-see-more-dutch-tourists-enjoy-the-channel-islands/|access-date=2021-09-25|website=Blue Islands|language=en}}
RotterdamRotterdam The Hague Airport{{airline seasonal|Seasonal Charter}}style="text-align:center;"|
IrelandDublinDublin Airport{{Airline seasonal}}style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web|url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/292371/blue-islands-schedules-new-routes-launch-in-late-august-2020/|title=Blue Islands schedules new routes launch in late-August 2020|website=routesonline.com|language=en|date=2020-07-10}}
LuxembourgLuxembourg CityLuxembourg Airportalign=center|{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-68586775 | title=Channel Island flights to Luxembourg to be trialled | work=BBC News | date=18 March 2024 }}
Switzerland

|Zurich

Zurich Airport{{airline seasonal|Seasonal Charter}}style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web|title=Blue Islands to operate 2016 Zurich Charter service – Blue Islands|url=https://www.blueislands.com/flying-with-us/news/news-stories/blue-islands-to-operate-2016-zurich-charter-service|website=www.blueislands.com|access-date=4 June 2017|archive-date=6 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706213045/https://www.blueislands.com/flying-with-us/news/news-stories/blue-islands-to-operate-2016-zurich-charter-service|url-status=dead}}
rowspan="10" |United KingdomBirminghamBirmingham Airport{{airline seasonal}}align=center|{{cite web|url=https://www.blueislands.com/where-we-fly/destinations/birmingham/|title=Blue islands destinations – Birmingham|website=blueislands.com|language=en|access-date=2020-07-08}}{{cite web |url=https://gsy.bailiwickexpress.com/gsy/news/blue-islands/#.X0N9mC2ZN0s |title=Blue Islands announces 2021 schedules|publisher=Bailiwick Express|date=24 August 2020}}
BristolBristol Airportalign=center|{{cite web|url=https://www.blueislands.com/where-we-fly/destinations/bristol/|title=Blue islands destinations – Bristol|website=blueislands.com|language=en|access-date=2020-07-08}}
East MidlandsEast Midlands Airportalign=center|{{cite web|url=https://www.blueislands.com/where-we-fly/destinations/east-midlands/|title=East-Midlands-Airport – Blue Islands|website=www.blueislands.com|access-date=2020-01-23}}
ExeterExeter Airportalign=center|{{cite web|url=https://www.blueislands.com/where-we-fly/destinations/exeter/|title=Blue islands destinations – Exeter|website=blueislands.com|language=en|access-date=2020-07-08}}
GuernseyGuernsey Airport{{airline hub|Base}}style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web|url=https://www.blueislands.com/where-we-fly/destinations/guernsey/|title=Blue Islands destinations – Guernsey|website=www.blueislands.com|access-date=2020-01-23}}
Isle of ManIsle of Man Airportalign=center|{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp04qpm2r62o | title=Isle of Man to Channel Islands direct flights return after trial | date=8 March 2024 }}
JerseyJersey Airport{{Airline hub|Base}}style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web|url=https://www.blueislands.com/where-we-fly/destinations/jersey/|title=Blue Islands destinations – Jersey|website=www.blueislands.com|access-date=2020-01-23}}
Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle International Airport{{Airline seasonal}}align=center|{{cite web |title=Blue Islands Adds Newcastle Service in NS25 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241214-sins25ncl |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=14 December 2024}}
NorwichNorwich Airport{{airline seasonal}}align=center|{{cite web|url=https://www.blueislands.com/ |title=Book your cheap flexible flights here |publisher=Blue Islands |date= |access-date=2022-03-29}}
SouthamptonSouthampton Airportalign=center|{{cite web|url=https://www.blueislands.com/where-we-fly/destinations/southampton/|title=Blue Islands destinations – Southampton|website=www.blueislands.com|access-date=2020-01-23}}

= Codeshare agreements =

Blue Islands has codeshare agreements with the following airlines (as of April 2021):

  • Aurigny{{Cite news|date=2021-04-20|title=Aurigny and Blue Islands announce flight sharing between Channel Islands and UK|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-guernsey-56804020|access-date=2021-04-21}}
  • Loganair{{cite web|date=2020-09-09|title=Loganair and Blue Islands begin new codeshare agreement|url=https://www.traveldailymedia.com/loganair-begins-partnership-with-blue-islands-to-connect-channel-islands-and-uk-regions/|access-date=2021-04-21|website=Travel Daily|language=en-US}}

= Interline agreements =

  • Hahn Airhttps://www.hahnair.com/en/partner-carriers

The airline had a franchise agreement with Flybe until its demise in 2020.

Fleet

=Current fleet=

File:G-ISLM - ATR 72-500 Blue Islands.jpg]]

As of May 2025, the Blue Islands fleet includes the following aircraft:{{cite web |url=https://siteapps.caa.co.uk/g-info/ |title=GINFO Search |publisher=Civil Aviation Authority |access-date=2 December 2019}} Search term "Blue Islands" as the AOC Holder

class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
+ Current fleet

!Aircraft

!style="width:75px;"|In fleet

!Orders

!Passengers

!Notes

rowspan="3"|ATR 72-500

|2

|rowspan="3"|—

|68

|rowspan="3"|

1

|70

1

|72

ATR 72-600

|1

|—

|TBC

|

Total

!5

!—

!

!

=Retired aircraft=

File:G-ISLH_Blue_Islands_ATR_42-320_-_cn_173,_12Aug2014,_landing_at_Schiphol_(AMS_-_EHAM),_The_Netherlands,_pic1.JPG.]]

File:G-ISLD_BAe_Jetstream_31_Blue_Islands_(6549754679).jpg.]]

class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
+ Retired fleet{{Cn|date=December 2024}}

!Aircraft

!style="width:25px;"|Number operated

!Introduced

!Retired

ATR 42-320

|align=center|6

|align=center|2010

|align=center|2022

ATR 42-500

|align=center|1

|align=center|2011

|align=center|2018

BAe Jetstream 31

|align=center|3

|align=center|2006

|align=center|2014

Britten-Norman Trislander

|align=center|3

|align=center|2001

|align=center|2011

Britten-Norman Islander

|align=center|4

|align=center|1999

|align=center|2011

Dornier 328

|align=center|1

|align=center|2007

|align=center|2009

Fokker 50

|align=center|2

|align=center|2012

|align=center|2012

Incidents and accidents

On 16 June 2012, an ATR 42-320 (registration G-DRFC), operating flight number SI308, suffered a collapse of the left main landing gear while taxiing after landing at Jersey Airport. The aircraft's left propeller and wing tip were damaged after striking the ground, subsequently writing off the aircraft. There were three crew operating the flight and 40 passengers traveling on board.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-jersey-18476461|title=Jersey Airport Blue Island plane crash probe begins |work=BBC News|date=17 June 2012}} An investigation conducted by the Air Accident Investigation Branch found that the captain was conducting line training for a pilot who had recently joined the company and a 3g acceleration spike was recorded on touchdown, higher than usual. The investigation determined that fatigue sustained in the lifecycle of the landing gear led to a crack which ultimately resulted in complete failure of the left landing gear. There were no injuries in the incident, except for four passengers injured during the evacuation.{{cite web|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5422f22ee5274a13170003e7/ATR_42-320__G-DRFC_10-13.pdf|title=Bulletin: 10/2013 G-DRFC |publisher=AAIB }}
- {{cite web|url=https://www.guernseypress.com/news/2013/10/10/fatigue-failure-to-blame-for-blue-islands-accident-last-year/|title='Fatigue failure' to blame for Blue Islands accident last year|website=Guernsey Press.com|date=10 October 2013 |access-date=23 January 2020}}

In November 2016, one of Blue Islands' ATR 72s was damaged by Storm Angus whilst parked at Guernsey Airport. A piece of airport equipment hit the aircraft, leaving a large dent in its fuselage. An ATR 72-200 was leased from Danish Air Transport as a backup aircraft.{{cite web |title=Blue Islands plane damaged by storm |url=http://www.itv.com/news/channel/update/2016-11-20/blue-islands-plane-left-out-of-action-due-to-storm-damage/ |website=ITV News |date=20 November 2016}}

References

{{reflist|2|refs=

}}

Further reading

{{refbegin}}

  • {{cite book

| last = Pinnegar

| first = Edward

| page = 128

| date = July 2010

| title = A History of Aviation in Alderney

| publisher = Amberley Publishing, Stroud

| isbn = 978-1-84868-981-7

}}

{{refend}}