Air passengers travelling to and from the Channel Islands will soon have more choice of flights, if a codeshare agreement between Aurigny and Blue Islands is approved.
The Channel Islands airlines have agreed in principle to co-ordinate their schedules, which would allow same-day return flights between Jersey, Guernsey, Exeter and Birmingham.
The carriers say they will make a 'collective effort' to provide more frequent flights on lifeline routes, once air travel restrictions are relaxed in the summer.
It would also mean Alderney residents would be able to fly to Jersey via Guernsey on a single ticket.
The airlines say they will remain independent, and the agreement doesn't cover pricing, promotion or customer service which will continue to be managed seperately.
If approved by the competition regulators, the changes would be phased in starting when Guernsey's travel restrictions are eased in July.
In a joint statement, Aurigny CEO Nico Bezuidenhout and Blue Islands CEO Rob Veron say they are delighted to have reached a deal:
"Our aim is to sustainably rebuild, preserving consumer choice and ensuring critical air connectivity as we come out of the pandemic. We firmly believe this agreement will help to bring stability for both passengers and our employees.
"Whilst we remain competitors, we will continue to seek out areas where efficiencies may be gained from collaboration – ensuring the viability and sustainability of this essential part of island infrastructure."
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