Travel expert Simon Calder has branded Blue Islands’ sudden cancellation of all flights “a shambles” and Loganair’s subsequent takeover of the collapsed airline’s routes as “unseemly”.
On Friday evening, ITV News learned that Blue Islands was on the brink of collapse, with the airline announcing just before 10pm that it had suspended its operations with immediate effect.
Within ten hours of this announcement, Loganair revealed it would be offering ‘rescue fares’ for stranded passengers, and was planning to “establish a new permanent operating base in Jersey”.
By the end of Saturday, Loganair had begun selling tickets for flights between Jersey and Guernsey, as well as to Southampton, Exeter, and Bristol, into the New Year.
Mr Calder believes this situation could have been handled differently, explaining: “It is possible for a regional airline not simply to just shut down.
“We’ve seen, for instance, the German airline Air Berlin was allowed to continue the season’s flights in order to have an orderly wind-down of the operation.
“This is much better for the staff of an airline, much better for passengers, and a much better look for the Channel Islands.”
On Monday, Jersey’s government announced that Blue Islands had decided to go into liquidation.
The company still owes them £9.1 million, including £1.7 million that was loaned within the last two months.
The Government will also pay up to £1.5 million to Loganair to “accelerate their full entry” into offering sustainable air links.
Mr Calder believes this transition could have been conducted in a smoother manner, despite the outstanding financial difficulties Blue Islands faced, which would have allowed prebooked flights and tickets to still be honoured.
He adds: “Suddenly to see all flights grounded, and then a scramble to replace these routes – it isn’t a good look from the UK.
“I think it’s a great shame, given the close-knit nature of aviation and the Channel Islands, that a gentler way was not found to deal with what was undoubtedly a problem.”
Mr Calder has also pointed out that Loganair will immediately face higher operational costs in the Channel Islands than Blue Islands did, because the company adheres to EU and UK compensation rules.
This offers passengers greater protection if their flight is delayed or cancelled, including up to £220 compensation for short-haul services which are significantly pushed back when the airline is at fault.
They will also have to cover expenses for long delays, regardless of the reason.
Mr Calder says: “If I fly to Jersey using Loganair, and I can’t get back because of fog, Loganair has to find me a hotel and give me all of my meals and that’ll cost a bit.”
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