BLUE ISLANDS
Join Date: Jul 2009
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The GCI-CWL application is not yet available to view on the States of Guernsey website. This would be operated by Blue Islands aircraft and crew (rather than Flybe); if a mere extention of the latter's CWL-JER then it would be the BE which would need to apply for the licence. Unlikely, therefore, that the service would form part of BE's CWL-JER service - although it might replace it. The publication of the application will clarify the nature of the intended service.
However, an earlier application made in April by Blue Islands to operate a 4x weekly seasonal GCI-LTN service is still available. I do not recall this being widely reported, and it seems not to have made it onto this forum. The licence itself does not appear to have been issued, although the list of licences currently in force on the website is not up-to-date. Worth noting that Flybe already holds such a licence (issued Jan 2014); albeit with the conditions that the service must operate year-round at given frequencies. Hitherto, it has yet to operate; this may be because the conditions are restrictive or (more likely) because the application was made prior to the GCI base closure.
However, an earlier application made in April by Blue Islands to operate a 4x weekly seasonal GCI-LTN service is still available. I do not recall this being widely reported, and it seems not to have made it onto this forum. The licence itself does not appear to have been issued, although the list of licences currently in force on the website is not up-to-date. Worth noting that Flybe already holds such a licence (issued Jan 2014); albeit with the conditions that the service must operate year-round at given frequencies. Hitherto, it has yet to operate; this may be because the conditions are restrictive or (more likely) because the application was made prior to the GCI base closure.
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: South
Age: 44
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What's with the obsession in flying second rate routes? There is a reason why these routes have never historically been operated to any great success.
Do they not realize how lucky they lucky they are being given the chance to be the sole operator on the SOU routes? Outside LGW, these routes must be the biggest gold mine going and they are screwing it up. If BE didn't have bigger fish to fry they would be kicking them off these routes and out of business. Shocking airline, and the yellow lot are no better.
Do they not realize how lucky they lucky they are being given the chance to be the sole operator on the SOU routes? Outside LGW, these routes must be the biggest gold mine going and they are screwing it up. If BE didn't have bigger fish to fry they would be kicking them off these routes and out of business. Shocking airline, and the yellow lot are no better.
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Agreed. All the more reason to make a success of the ones that are. I mean they don't even have enough planes (not to mention the ones they do have would look out of place operating in Iran) to operate the SOU route let alone a nonsense route like GCI-CWI.
You have to go back to the days of Cambrian Air Services to find Guernsey to Cardiff operating profitably; & that was as part of the Cardiff-Jersey route. Since then, the route has operated intermittently & limped along, financially. I think that, overall, it only supports an a/c of DC3 size (which was why it was successful with Cambrian). Even with an AT42 it probably cannot be run daily - or year round. The financial situation at Blue Island does not appear to be that rosy; so I have to agree with Rivet Joint that the airline should concentrate on their main cash generators ie Guernsey to Southampton & Jersey, & Jersey to Southampton. It is certainly true that they are short of a/c, & those that they have are very old. I would not be surprised to see the airline disappear if it cannot operate inter island & C.I.- Southampton flights profitably. Word is that the Jersey - London City flights are not doing that well, either.
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: cornwall, uk
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Really wouldn't be surprised if BA decided to add LCY-JER to the network via cityflyer. They have everything set up at both ends and to my mind it's just a matter of time until it happens.
cs
cs
Join Date: Oct 2015
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As a Guernseyman living in Cardiff, of course I'd be very happy to see this actually happen. As for 'second-rate', my impression is that there are substantial numbers of Welsh people already trekking over to BRI for the Aurigny service or driving to Poole for the ferry, so my gut feeling is that there is quite a lot of potential for this route.
Interview with Coates & Veron - additional ATR72 arrives soon.
https://www.periscope.tv/w/1kvJppaPYemJE
https://www.periscope.tv/w/1kvJppaPYemJE
Last edited by Jerbourg; 4th Aug 2016 at 20:53.
Donkeygone
I hope you get your route. I am sure that there is the traffic to justify it, but not on a daily, all year round basis. As far as Blue Island is concerned, they may not be around to operate it - which might be a good thing (except for them !). If the BEE franchise doesn't work, they may face major difficulties. Keep your fingers crossed.
On the a/c front, they are due to get an AT42 on a short lease & then get a "new" 72 later on in the summer. They also promise an improvement in their service performance. We shall see.
I hope you get your route. I am sure that there is the traffic to justify it, but not on a daily, all year round basis. As far as Blue Island is concerned, they may not be around to operate it - which might be a good thing (except for them !). If the BEE franchise doesn't work, they may face major difficulties. Keep your fingers crossed.
On the a/c front, they are due to get an AT42 on a short lease & then get a "new" 72 later on in the summer. They also promise an improvement in their service performance. We shall see.
Cornishsimon, I would venture there is little chance of a Cityflyer LCY-JER. If it was going to happen it would have happened a long time ago. BA know their market and the numbers will have been crunched many times.
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Markets change at LCY, both GLA and DUB were introduced, dropped and then came back later, IOM was a surprise to me. If and when SI gives up, and they've never made money, either CFE or BE will likely pick it up.
The market for LCY-JER today is the same market today as it was five years ago, ten years ago and twenty years ago. It is predominantly business based and will be the same ten years from now (depending on Brexit effect on the City of London). It has never been made a success by any operator and BA get far more mileage out of their Gatwick route than they ever would out of City. I'll say it again, if BA were interested in it, it would have been tried already.
The CI regulator isn't happy with the BE franchise agreement & wants some answers - as do the travelling public!
CICRA Writes To Flybe & Blue Islands - Island FM
CICRA Writes To Flybe & Blue Islands - Island FM
Join Date: Feb 2010
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The CI regulator isn't happy with the BE franchise agreement & wants some answers - as do the travelling public!
CICRA Writes To Flybe & Blue Islands - Island FM
CICRA Writes To Flybe & Blue Islands - Island FM
It maybe based on stats from before the franchise began but there's been no change since so very relevant methinks. I'll be perfectly honest & admit I'm no fan of Blue Islands & the sooner Coates, Veron & their merry band stop playing at airlines and call it a day the better.
The stats may be from the period before the BEE/Blue Islands agreement , but the absolutely pathetic service which the islands have suffered has occurred since the tie up. The service has been diabolical & an inquiry is absolutely essential !
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Again Nick, that's an opinion based on media/social media perception. Where's the actual stats to back up the diabolical claim? Do u know what the OTP of the inters has been since the start of the demon franchise? I don't, so until those facts are known (CAA stats are months out of date) it's just opinion. I haven't been delayed once in the last six months (twice a week on average) apart from that two week period end of July when it went pear shaped. Maybe I've been lucky but my opinion is that it's working fine.