And it has pledged to continue to ‘work hard’ to overcome the challenges caused by the collapse of its former franchise partner, Flybe.
Blue Islands said customers due to travel this weekend and on Monday should go to the airport and check in as normal and those flights would be honoured without further payment.
However, future bookings made via Flybe – which collapsed on Thursday – are no longer valid and need rebooking with Blue Islands.
Blue Islands has now restored its website allowing customers to make bookings online at blueislands.com.
In a statement, the airline said: ‘As a temporary measure each route will have its own flat fare and include 23kg hold baggage while the airline makes further system implementations and introduces dynamic pricing and fare options.
‘While payments systems are implemented, customers will be able to hold seats using the website and its new call centre partner, Flight Directors, will contact customers to take payment, which will confirm the booking. Customers making bookings will be contacted from 8am on Saturday.’
Rob Veron, chief executive of Blue Islands, said: ‘We would like to thank our customers for their patience while we reinstated our bookings systems at blueislands.com. Customers can now book all flights on our website for flights until 24 October 2020 and we have added the resource of a new call centre ready to serve our customers too. We are working to restore website functionality, including online payment early next week. We will continue to provide updates to our passengers as they become available.’
Any customers without a booking wishing to travel this weekend or on Monday are able to book and pay for tickets at the airport of departure.
According to Blue Islands, funds from all future bookings for Blue Islands operated services made via Flybe are held by Flybe’s merchant card acquirers. It said: ‘These controls were put in place to safeguard consumer funds in the event of Flybe’s collapse. This means that the original booking for a Blue Islands operated service made via Flybe is no longer valid and requires rebooking with Blue Islands.
‘As a result, passengers who had made a booking through Flybe for a Blue Islands operated service for travel from the 10 March onwards will be required to make a new booking with Blue Islands prior to travel, or at the airport before departure.
‘Customers should refer to the Civil Aviation Authority website for information on refunds, or contact the credit card company that was used for payment.’
Mr Veron added: ‘We understand that the collapse of Flybe has left many passengers worried about their travel plans, and we apologise to our customers for the uncertainty and inconvenience that this has caused.
‘We would like to reassure our customers that our schedule is operating as normal and thank our customers for their support and understanding, and our staff for their hard work during this time.’
