Blue Islands tries again for Bristol

BLUE ISLANDS hopes its re-application to compete with Aurigny on the Bristol route will be considered rationally.

The airline, which wants to run a peak morning and evening service each day, argued that the success of its direct route from Jersey to Bristol proved it could develop the market.

A similar application in 2009 was rejected by Commerce and Employment following strong opposition from States-owned Aurigny, which claimed there was not enough traffic on the route to sustain two operators.

Blue Islands managing director Rob Veron, pictured. said his airline's service from Jersey, which has an open skies policy, showed that was not the case as it had resulted in a 35% increase in passenger numbers on the route within 12 months.