In the Guernsey Press today Blue Islands deny they are for sale, but then I suppose they would as it's not been officially announced.
There have been lots of delay recently and still today on the JER & SOU routes, is this caused by an aircraft shortage?

G-ISLH just come back from hangers was in Flybe Purple now returned in white with BI engine covers. Any reason you would do this other then change of ownership or end of franchise agreement

Or could be because the Flybe name will soon be a thing of the past with with the takeover by the Virgin/Stobart Connect airways consortium.

Agreed - previously in Blue Island not Flybe cls, though still begs the question why the change?

As suggested in an earlier post, G-ISLH was in Blue Islands livery - never FlyBe purple. The new white look with BlueIslands decals on engine cowlings seems to be standard as it features on the two latest ATR72s - G-ISLM & G-ISLN.

Although I cannot release names (but the information came from a senior BI employee) but here in the northern isle it is being rumoured that if BI is not sold by Feb 2020 then DC has decided he will close the airline down due to the loses it is currently making. Apparently Flybe, Stobart, Aurigny and Logan air have all been approached about purchasing the airline with none of them even being interested.

Exactly that's why no one has brought them. Most of their aircraft are leased so they have no assets - the only profitable part of their business would be maybe the ground handling and engineering dept. At Guernsey they only handle their own aircraft (Flybe flights handled by Aur) and if you were an airline ready to buy them then you more than likely already have you own engineering dept anyway.We were hoping BI had tendered to fly here to Alderney but not by the looks of this.

Blue lost a shed load of cash the last time they operated to ACI so doubt a return would be in the offing.

With an Open Skies policy in JER & GCI there is no need for anyone to buy the airline, should it fold any interested party can just step in on a route should they so wish.

Coates has had his three or four hotels on the market for some time now (2 years or so) so if the rumour is true I would guess that they, along with the airline would all close at the same time, as we know he's not in the best of health so it would seem to me he's getting his affairs sorted.

I wonder if all the a/c leases run out at the same time...?

Sorry to hear that DC may not be well. Followed BI from a distance over the years and, while DC was clearly in business to make money if he could, it strikes me he also had a genuine commitment to the Islands and stuck with the tourist side of things as well. Now, being PPRuNe, I’m sure many will have their views on the “good” and the “bad” of his business interests (the airline and hotels specifically – can’t comment on the other business interests he had) but, from where I sit, it’s quite something his level commitment. Stayed at the Braye Beach a while back – a fabulous place with staff and a view to match! If the above Posts are true, I really hope things turn out OK for all involved in all DC’s ventures, as well as for DC himself and his family.

H 'n' H

Indeed, Pete, quite agree! And sorry to hear of your ills too! I now "tick" rather alarmingly due to a recently installed plastic heart valve but, apart from that......! Old age catching up? :hmm:

Guess enough of thread drift into the world of our ailments .... let's just hope for a good outcome for all who may be affected in various ways.

H 'n' H

Any more recent news on Blue Islands? Is the Flybe / Connect franchise working well?
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The quote is a bit confusing when taken out of context.

The dispute is about unpaid fees for advisory work allegedly owed by Blue Islands in relation to services rendered that ultimately did not result in a sale of Blue Islands.

So much for Blue saying back in the Autumn that the airline wasn't for sale........

https://gsy.bailiwickexpress.com/gsy.../#.Xg-QyEf7RPY

No announcement from Blue Islands on taking up the Virgin Franchise, no Jersey to London City services on sale past the end of March, "Airline not for sale" (or nobody interested in buying it)...... an airline with no plan?????

As no name change has been announced yet, presumably things stay the same until they change - what were you expecting them to say?

Was told today by someone who works for the other local airline that G-ISLK and G-ISLL will be getting the ful livery as per the Flybe fleet.

G-ISLH/M/N will remain in white but the engine cowlings will be painted Virgin Red

I would expect them to say, as flybe has, that they will be transitioning over the next few months to Virgin Connect and give customers something to look forward to and a new reason to book. But for some reason, they have chosen not to, or are not permitted to.

What flybe say:

In 2020 Flybe will become Virgin Connect,
your new go-to name in regional flying.

As Flybe, we have been connecting passengers across the UK and Europe for 40 years and as we embark on an ambitious transformation, Virgin Connect will continue our work as Europe’s Largest Regional Airline.

As part of the extended Virgin family, Virgin Connect will reflect the innovation and entrepreneurship of Virgin's wider brands, putting our customers first and offering better value.

To continue flying with us please book your flights through Flybe.

Blue Islands - The future
 

In July last year I posted on this forum that BI were up for sale - as confirmed in todays news.

https://www.bailiwickexpress.com/jsy.../#.XhOW3G52vIU

I also have mentioned that it has been rumoured from with in BI that the airline is close to being wound up and with BI currently trying to recruit new staff and ground crew as so many are jumping ship no doubt this rumour will soon come to true.

Does anyone think Flybe/Virgin Connect may take them over and all their routes ?

Why would they want to? I would imagine the franchise arrangement has given them a good view of the numbers, let them close down and then cherry-pick what works.

Think it’s likely that the franchise just continues under the new branding.
blue islands have just taken over the flybe jersey - East Midlands and rumours of more to follow so doesn’t look like a relationship ending any time soon.

“Flybe greatly values the franchise relationship we have with Blue Islands and we look forward to continuing to work with them when we start operating as Virgin Connect,’ the spokesman said. Blue Islands CEO Rob Veron said it wanted to congratulate Flybe on the new arrangement.

‘Blue Islands remains independently owned and wholly committed to serving our Channel Islands communities with reliable and convenient year-round, high-frequency regional connectivity, while delivering value for money and a great customer experience,’ he said.

‘We look forward to working closely with the team at Virgin Connect as wider plans evolve.’”

also I think this is just an issue with flybe frustrating website. If you try and book on the 31st March, then click next 7 days, the schedule looks the same with prices

Virgin are very proud of their "Brand" I can't see them being happy to continue with BI planes being white with just red engine cowls. I also can't see BI being happy having to pay to have their planes painted every time they buy and old shed or lease another one. Average age of their fleet current 18.5 years with G-ILSH over 30 years old now.
https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Blue-Islands
BI are advertising more and more their charter routes how would Virgin feel about aircraft in their colours being flown on charter routes?
Looking at the court papers yesterday when BI failed to pay up to Barons Capital when they produced documents for the proposed sale of Blue Islands it appears documents were produced for Aurigny and Stobart air to look at as no one else interested - I've stated before and I will again, now that Guernsey have open skies why would anyone want to buy BI when they could just start the routes on their own just as Aurigny have on the Jersey and Southampton routes.
It was reported BI apparently still owe Aurigny money over the ground handling contract and with BI now having to sell seats at £11 one way to Southampton to compete they must be losing money hand over fist. The court papers also state that the sale of BI was to take a 12 month hiatus so no doubt the BI management team will soon be investigating a sale again.

Guern123

Interesting stuff. Do you have a link to the court papers regarding Aurigny and stobart?

the low fares are great for the island at the moment. The Southampton route is up massively in terms of passenger figures from last year looking at the CAA website.

I guess blue islands can offer lower fares due their lower costs of operations. Hard for Aurigny to do that when they have a terribly inefficient fleet mix up and lots of debt to service. Much cheaper to fly to any of the London airports or Southampton now instead of Gatwick, as shown with the big month on month decline with the pax figures to LGW. Must be hurting aurignys bottom line.

Borntoflywillfly

The link I posted above had a link to the court papers. BI are losing money on the Guernsey Southampton service that's a fact just can't find out how much. Aurigny's loads seem to what would be at about break even levels - not bad for the start up of a route with competition on it. The mix of Aurigny's fleet is getting better they are about to take delivery of their 3rd new ATR72-600 and G-VZON and G-HUET will soon be no more. Dorniers have been scaled back as waiting for PSO on Alderney route before getting them all back up and running. So they should ATR wise have 3 new and one slightly older (G-LERE) more reliable fuel efficient aircraft. Once the fog busting tech is up and running later this year fewer delays and hotel stays for passengers at Aurignys expense too. The month on month decline is more than likely due to passengers using the Heathrow route but at present no plans confirmed of this continuing after March so people will migrate back to the Gatwick service. If I had a choice of booking or working for either of the 2 at the moment it would be Aurigny as they certainly appear to be getting their act together.

I always use the blue islands service to SOU and 9 times out of 10 it is full. Why would this be losing money and Aurigny be breaking even when I can probably count the amount of times I have watched the Aurigny one board or disembark with more than 20 pax on it. Price wise there is very little difference

Because of the competition between the companies at the moment.
low fares = poor yield

same for Aurigny too.

just that Aurigny have a much higher cost base so probably are loosing even more money.

however the island benefits in the mean time

I read with interest the comments on the situation between these companies. Having worked in the aviation industry for over 25years (4 of them at Blues Islands) I feel that there are a couple of things being over looked. The focus of these 2 airlines is totally different.

Blue islands are like any other airline they try to make money for their shareholders, they are not a big company and cannot afford to invest in new aircraft all the time which is why they lease them. As the market from Jersey is very small with some big players like Easyjet, Flybe and BA to name a few they need to pick their routes very carefully which is why you see them operate for a while and then maybe drop them if they are not profitable enough. The franchise deal with Flybe also means they have no requirements to maintain their own website or booking engine and eases they advertising budget as they piggy back on Flybe’s. They are basically there to serve the share holders of the company. Yes their flights are normally almost full on the GCI – SOU route but anyone can fill a plane if the fare are rock bottom low.

Aurigny on the other hand are there to serve the Islands of Guernsey, and Alderney and more recently Jersey. Their shareholders are the States of Guernsey who I guess would be more than happy if they just broke even. The focus of Aurigny is to maintain good air links to the Island which is why they are investing in new aircraft as the routes will be here for many years to come.

I had a quick play with their price structure on the GCI-SOU route Blue Islands start very low about £12 one way but as the plane fills up can get to over £100. Aurigny on the other hand start a bit lower around the £26 but never really go much above £80. I guess they average out about the same.

As for the sale of Blue Islands as we know Derek Coates is fairly ill and doesn’t have much to do with any of his businesses any more so should be no surprise really that he’s looking to sell up. His hotels were on the market a few years ago and probably still are and with the constant decline in the airline industry selling now seems a good move.

spiralling losses doesn’t sound like getting they’re act together. Sounds quite the opposite. Hopefully the Heathrow continues beyond March, great service. Shame it can’t be one in the am and one in the pm.

Can they go alone ?
 

https://news.sky.com/story/regional-...-1s97e2BlNJs-8

With no booking engine and most of their flights being operated on behalf of Flybe how quick will they get up and running under their own steam ?

Blue islands stop Liverpool and Southend
 

Blue Islands have just announced end of Liverpool and Southend routes. I fear the end of Blue Islands is near. The press release states "unsustainable market conditions" on those markets they are the sole operator.

reliant

If this is correct,then it's further bad news for Southampton!
Can we hope for any good news for this airport?

The twice weekly Flybe SEN-JER-SEN will connect with Blue Islands GCI-JER-GCI route, so SEN-GCI is still bookable from 2nd May on the Flybe website.

RW20,

You do realise they said Southend, right?

Really? On the basis of stopping two really peripheral routes which were filling in spare time on the aircraft? Saying the end of BI is nigh based on them shuttering the LPL and SEN routes is like saying the end of BA would be nigh if they stopped flying to Kefalonia. Nonsense.