Blue Islands has closed down and grounded all flights. The Channel Islands-based airline, with around 100 staff, had flown to various locations in the British Isles and beyond for two decades.
It is the second regional carrier to cease trading in less than three weeks. Eastern Airways stopped flying on 28 October.
Blue Islands had a fleet of five ATR-72 aircraft. Although the carrier’s headquarters were in Guernsey, the main route network linked Jersey with airports in England, including Bristol, Exeter and Southampton.
From Guernsey, Blue Islands flew to Southampton as well as an inter-island service to Jersey.
On the airline’s website, passengers are told: “We regret to inform you that Blue Islands has suspended trading effective on 14 November 2025.
“All future flights operated by Blue Islands have been cancelled. Please do not travel to the airport unless you have made alternative travel arrangements.
“We deeply regret the inconvenience that this will bring to your travel plans.”
Thousands of passengers have advance reservations with the carrier. Those who booked direct are told to contact their bank or payment card provider.
Blue Islands said: "For bookings made through our codeshare partner Aurigny but travelling on a Blue Islands flight, please contact Aurigny directly – some flights may still be operating.
“For bookings made through a travel agent or holiday company, please contact the company through whom you booked for advice and guidance.”
During the Covid pandemic, the Jersey government lent Blue Islands £8.5m. A report in August 2025 revealed that £7m was still outstanding.
Jersey’s minister for Treasury and Resources, Elaine Millar, said: “I am saddened by the announcement that Blue Islands has suspended operations, and my immediate thoughts are with the people whose jobs have been affected and the passengers whose travel will be disrupted.
“For those employees based in Jersey, government support is ready and available.
“Air connectivity is vital for our Island, and the contingency plans that have been prepared will mean that connections are swiftly reinstated.
“Government is working with an alternative airline to ensure that Jersey has reliable and sustainable air links for the long term.”
Loganair has announced it will launch flights as early as Sunday 16 November, less than 48 hours after Blue Islands failed. The Glasgow-based airline is offering “rescue fares” of £80 one way. The carrier said: “We are proud to be stepping in to support the people of Jersey.”
Luke Farajallah, Chief Executive Officer of Loganair, said: “This is another sad day for regional aviation, coming so soon after the news about Eastern Airways. For almost two decades, the Blue Islands brand has played a vital role in the UK’s regional aviation market, serving Channel Island communities year-round with essential air connectivity.
“In response to the news, we acted immediately to introduce flights to and from Jersey along with special fares available to ensure that affected passengers can continue to travel with minimal disruption, and to provide reassurance at what we know is an unsettling time. This will then lead to establishing a new permanent operating base in Jersey.”
Aurigny, the airline of Guernsey, has laid on extra flights between the island and Southampton, as well additional inter-island services, between 15 and 18 November.
Nico Bezuidenhout, the chief executive, said: “Aurigny’s immediate actions to help Blue Islands passengers underline our commitment to always go further in serving the people of Guernsey and always get travellers home.
“Through the weekend, the Aurigny team will be working to protect aviation interests in the Channel Islands, acting in its capacity and mission from the States of Guernsey to also be a social and economic enabler for the islands.”
The aviation analyst Sean Moulton said: “Blue Islands are the second airline in as many weeks to stop flying in the UK. Whilst they operated predominately from the Channel Islands, their impact will hit smaller airports across southern England.”
Blue Islands was due to start flying between London Gatwick and Newquay in Cornwall on behalf of Skybus from 23 November. The Independent understands that Skybus still intends to resume flying on the former Eastern Airways route as scheduled, with an alternative aircraft in place of the originally planned Blue Islands plane.
Flights on British Airways and easyJet from Jersey to Gatwick and other English airports are continuing.
Read more: Blue Islands closes down: What are my passenger rights as airline stops flying?
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