My tuppence worth
Virginblue:
In answer to your question, Blue Island probably haven't done a London city routenot from the want of trying, but because the powers that be in the Guernsey States don't want Blue Island to do it as it will take pax from the Gatwick route. ie the states are using their power to authorise routes which only suits them. Where is the CICRA (CI Competition Regulatory Authority) in all this? Such a conflict of interest, states owning an airline, and then dishing out route licenses. Why can't we be like Jersey and have an open skies policy. At least then we may have got Easyjet on the Gatwick route. Not only would it boost our pax numbers, but keep some healthy competition.
It seems to me our airline is running scared hence the tie up with blueislands, and this 'spare' aircraft. I guess this will be like blue islands spare aircraft which always seems to be in maintenance!!!!