BLUE ISLANDS SPECIAL
BLUE Islands’ sudden suspension of services has triggered a wave of political, business, passenger and staff reaction. Daisy Morel rounds up the reactions across the Channel Islands…
AROUND 1,200 passengers were displaced this weekend following the suspension of Blue Islands’s operations, with 21,000 future bookings impacted.
Loganair and Aurigny have since stepped into the breach, with Loganair offering rescue fares, while Aurigny introduced a new route from Guernsey to Jersey, and increased frequency between Guernsey and Southampton.
Passengers
Sharon Hill had two flights booked with Blue Island before the end of this year.
“I live on the mainland and had flights booked for the weekend of 28 November to visit my son who lives in Jersey,” she told the JEP.
“I also had flights booked for 22 December for my son to come back for Christmas.
“So, I rebooked it all again this morning via the lifesaver that is Loganair, but trying to get money back in original tickets is impossible.”
A Guernsey schoolteacher, who was in Jersey visiting family but had to be back in Guernsey before work on Monday morning, said they had been “severely affected” by the cancellations.
“I have managed to sort new flights but I lost my return flights and money,” they told the JEP.
“It is not ideal and it’s expensive. This has really affected my mental health.”
Clare Easton wrote on social media that she was due to fly to Southampton with Blue Islands on 22 November, and has now had to rebook with easyJet via Gatwick.
“Adding in the price of a train and hold luggage, my costs have come in exactly the same as Blue Islands – but now I have the faff of an hour’s train journey and needing to be at the airport earlier. Plus, the flight is longer from Gatwick so it’s a right pain,” she said.
“I hope a new route out of Southampton is found very soon!”
Blue Islands staff
Blue Islands cabin crew Sonia Cristo said her “heart feels so heavy” in a post on social media.
She wrote: “To all my colleagues who poured their souls, their passion, and their loyalty into every flight, every passenger, every moment , you deserved so much better than this ending.
“It’s painful to see a company that held our memories, our laughter, our challenges, and our family spirit simply disappear.”
Staff members told the JEP that many of them found out about the suspension of operations via social media last night, and an email was not sent to employees until 9:43pm.
In it, chief executive Rob Vernon wrote: “This was not an outcome that we had expected, nor could we possibly have seen that this afternoon’s events would result in matters deteriorating as quickly as they have.
“I am shocked and saddened beyond words to be sending this message, just as I know you will be shocked and saddened to receive and read it.
“I’m truly sorry that our airline which we have all worked so hard to build has, as of this evening, likely taken its final flight.”
The JEP understands that some staff members had housing licenses linked to their jobs, so will have to find alternative accommodation or will be forced to leave the Island.
Blue Islands staff are due to meet with the Employment, Social Security and Housing team on Monday for an overview of the support on offer.
‘Rescue’ carriers Loganair and Aurigny
Loganair confirmed that it would be starting operations to and from Jersey on Sunday and establishing a new permanent operating base. To assist affected Blue Islands customers in reaching their destinations with minimal disruption, special rescue fares are being offered on the Guernsey, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton routes.
Chief executive Luke Farajallah said: “This is another sad day for regional aviation, coming so soon after the news about Eastern Airways. For almost two decades, the Blue Islands brand has played a vital role in the UK’s regional aviation market, serving Channel Island communities year-round with essential air connectivity.”
Aurigny chief executive Nico Bezuidenhout said: “As the only airline truly dedicated to our local communities, Aurigny has moved immediately to introduce new services from Guernsey to Southampton and Jersey to meet the real needs of the market and prevent any further disruption.
“We have served the Channel Islands with pride since 1968 and are pleased to return to the essential airbridge route between Guernsey and Jersey.
“We have developed these interim schedules within eighteen hours of Blue Islands entering administration and will announce additional frequencies for Christmas and through the entire winter over the coming days.”
Political reaction
Treasury Minister Elaine Millar said she was “saddened” by the news, adding that the government is “ready and available” to support passengers based in Jersey.
She said: “Air connectivity is vital for our Island, and the contingency plans that have been prepared will mean that connections are swiftly reinstated, with priority given to those routes most essential to the provision of medical services.”
Health Minister Tom Binet said his team had been working with colleagues from the Chief Minister’s office and the Treasury Department over the past week, “anticipating things and getting things ready to go”.
“There were two passengers affected over the weekend, and [Health staff] have been in touch with them to make alternative arrangements,” he said.
“As I understand it, those two Islanders were travelling for check-ups, nobody was awaiting surgery or put at risk.”
Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel said: “Because of the problems that Blue Islands was experiencing earlier in the year, we had asked Ports of Jersey to look at contingency situations and they worked with Logan air to provide this contingency.
“We should see it come into effect tomorrow morning in just 36 hours since the announcement. So, all going well, that contingency will work, and Jersey will have more resilient service going forward.”
He added: “It is really hard for the families and the employees of Blue Island who have got a huge uncertainty at the moment, so we want to be able to help them as best we can.
“But there’s no question that having a bigger operator running these regional routes for Jersey should be of huge benefit to the island over the medium and long term. It should give us resilient connectivity, and possibly even more routes as well.”
Business community
The Jersey Chamber of Commerce said: “This decision has immediate and significant implications for our islands, as Blue Islands has been the sole provider of inter-island air links and a vital connector to the UK. Our thoughts are with the Blue Islands team and their families, as well as with islanders and businesses affected by this disruption.
“As a collective, the Jersey Chamber of Commerce is working closely with the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce in wishing to ensure that our business communities receive the support they need during this challenging period. Together, we are engaging with our respective Governments and Ports to explore alternative, long term contingencies and safeguard essential travel links for businesses and residents alike.
“We want to reassure our members and the wider business community that our islands remain open for business despite the suspension of Blue Islands flights. Our priority is to minimise disruption and maintain the flow of people, goods and business between our islands and the UK.”
Guernsey
Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, President of the Policy & Resources Committee, said: “My first thoughts are for those whose livelihoods are impacted – Blue Islands staff based in Guernsey and across the Channel Islands – as well as all those whose travel has been affected.
“I’m grateful to the teams at Aurigny and the airport for acting extremely swiftly by putting on additional flights to make sure people can get home. Having the ability to do so as such short notice is undoubtedly a benefit of having our own airline.
“A huge amount of work is currently taking place across the States to restore connectivity and stability.”
More in the JEP’s Blue Islands fall-out special e-edition.
