Blue Islands celebrates 10th birthday

Friday 19 February 2016

Blue Islands celebrates its tenth birthday this year, as the airline marks a decade of operating flights between the Channel Islands and to the UK from its bases in Guernsey and Jersey, since launch in February 2006.

Rob Veron, Blue Islands’ Managing Director said: “Since Blue Islands started flying in 2006 we have carried over 2 million passengers.

In 2006, we carried 63,500 passengers per year, this year we forecast to fly a total of 380,000 passengers – that’s a staggering increase of 500%! Of course we’ve invested in a larger fleet, our routes and employees, enabling a 300% capacity increase; from 132,000 seats in 2006 to 520,000 this year.

“These numbers demonstrate how far we have come in 10 years, and should the proposed Flybe franchise proceed it would mark another milestone in the development of Blue Islands. We are proud to be a locally owned airline and are totally committed to serving the Channel Islands. This growth has significantly contributed to the Channel Islands economy, directly through the taxes and charges paid and indirectly supporting a wide range of sectors through the supply chain from flight support to hospitality and not forgetting the employment opportunities this generates, a true economic enabler; of our own independent means.”

Having signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Flybe, Blue Islands is currently exploring becoming its third franchise partner.