Blue Islands calls a halt to Southend, Liverpool flights
UNSUSTAINABLE market conditions have been blamed for Blue Islands’ decision to suspend its London Southend and Liverpool services.
The last day of operation of the Southend route will be 27 January.
The twice-weekly Liverpool service was due to recommence its summer schedule in May.
Blue Islands CEO Rob Veron said the airline was committed to serving the communities of Guernsey and Jersey.
‘Whilst we continually strive to develop incremental network growth from the islands, some new route start-ups do not prove to be financially sustainable,’ he said.
‘In those instances, it is vital for the health of the wider business that these routes are suspended.’
Mr Veron apologised to customers for the inconvenience and said that suitable alternative arrangements would be made.
‘Our customer service team will be in contact with any passengers affected, to offer either an alternative flight or a refund,’ he said.
‘2019 was a notable year in the history of air transport in Guernsey. The first full operational year of the open skies policy has quickly demonstrated the destabilising impact of that de-regulation, its effect on the route mix and most importantly sustainability.’
He added that the airline would be working closely with the States of Guernsey in the forthcoming strategic review of air links.
‘Consumers enjoy the good choice of carriers that we have operating to and from Guernsey, but it is essential that key regional services, operating high-frequency year-round services, are done so in a viable and sustainable fashion. This needs to be front and centre of all policy considerations,’ he said.
Blue Islands recently announced an expanded charter service for summer 2020, bringing tourists to Guernsey from Holland, Germany and Switzerland, and the airline’s established services to Southampton, Jersey, East Midlands and Bristol continue as normal.
Liverpool and Southend were both launched last year. The Southend service attracted just over 14,000 travellers to the daily flights since it was launched in May.
Just over 3,000 travellers used the Liverpool service, which operated twice weekly between May and September.
Any passengers booked on London Southend or Liverpool services will be contacted and offered either an alternative flight or a refund.
London Southend passengers travelling on or after 1 April will be contacted in due course.
