Aurigny announces inter-islands flights

Aurigny has announced it is beginning flights between Jersey and Guernsey following the loss of Blue Islands services.

The Guernsey-owned airline will begin operating the inter-islands routes and increase the frequency of its services from Guernsey to Southampton.

It follows the announcement late on Friday from Blue Islands that it was suspending operations and cancelling all future flights with immediate effect.

Aurigny initially announced an enhanced flight-schedule and 'rescue fares' until 19 November to bring displaced passengers home.

The airline had now extended that offer for travel up to and including Friday 21 November, due to high demand.

It has also expanded its interim schedule up to Wednesday 17 December.

Aurigny will operate two daily flights (except Fridays and Sundays) on the Guernsey to Jersey route and between two and three services per day between Guernsey and Southampton.

Nico Bezuidenhout, Chief Executive Officer at Aurigny, 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.”

The new schedule is now available for sale via Aurigny’s new App, website and contact centre with immediate effect.

Earlier on Saturday, Ports of Jersey announced the Scottish regional airline Logainair had stepped in to take over some of the routes previously operated by Blue Islands.

A statement from Loganair said this would include Jersey to Guernsey, Exeter and Southampton and Guernsey to Southampton.

However, Guernsey's government says Loganair cannot operate the lifeline route, which is already serviced by State-owned airline Aurigny, without a licence.

The links between the islands and Southampton are considered essential because of the number of patients who use it to receive medical treatment in the UK.

Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, President of Guernsey's Committee for Economic Development, said :

"We designate some air routes as essential so that it allows us to have direct involvement in who operates it, and therefore the standard of service on that route.

"We are aware that Loganair has put this route on its website, albeit customers cannot currently book it.

"We have contacted Loganair to clarify that a licence is needed to operate the route and it does not currently have one.’

Deputy Mark Helyar, President of the States’ Trading Supervisory Board said:

‘We are acutely aware of the importance of the Southampton route to our community, particularly around travel for off-island medical appointments.

"Aurigny has an existing licence to operate the route and it has already introduced services to meet this important need.

"I’m aware of some speculation that Aurigny does not have the capacity to fulfil this route, but that is simply not true.

"We have been in close contact with Aurigny on this and it has confirmed the capacity is there.

"Aurigny are also putting on flights to and from Jersey. I hope this reassures the community that the Southampton will continue to be served in the wake of the cessation of Blue Islands services.’

Aurigny previously operated inter-islands services, ceasing in 2016.  It reintroduced the route in 2020 but axed it again in February 2020, citing lack of demand.