Virus finishes Flybe but island airlines save day

The news came the day after Flybe collapsed.

Flybe went into administration in the early hours of Thursday, leaving passengers stranded.

The collapse was blamed on significant funding problems, which were compounded by the outbreak of coronavirus reducing traveller numbers.

Aurigny has suspended two ATR rotations a day in response to a fall in demand.

CEO Mark Darby said: ‘The key benefit is reducing some of our costs in difficult times, but most importantly it gives us additional capacity if crews become sick to continue operating services.’

Flybe operated services from Guernsey to Birmingham and Exeter, as well as some services to Jersey.

Yesterday those flights were cancelled, as well as the States-subsidised service between Guernsey and Heathrow, which Flybe operated.

Economic Development president Deputy Charles Parkinson said that the States had paid the airline only until the end of February.

Blue Islands had been in a franchise arrangement with Flybe since 2016 and some of its planes have Flybe livery. The local airline reassured passengers that it was operating.

It offers inter-island services, as well as Southampton flights from Guernsey.

It organised some extra services yesterday to help passengers get to their destinations. Passengers who were on equivalent Flybe services were flown free of charge, with seats allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Blue Islands and Aurigny are also offering special rescue fares for about £50 today on their usual services.

The move was welcomed by passengers.

Colin and Hannah De La Mare were returning to Exeter.

‘We found out about Flybe last night. I got a text,’ said Mr De La Mare.

Mrs De La Mare said the couple were upset. ‘Flybe have always been so good to us,’ she said. ‘They were our lifeline.’

Mr De La Mare went to the airport yesterday morning and found out about the Blue Islands flights.

‘It’s brilliant,’ he said. ‘We’re very grateful.’

As Blue Islands has been using Flybe’s infrastructure, its booking system was dormant. It is being re-established in the coming days.

In the UK, Ryanair, British Airways and easyJet were all offering special fares and rail operators were offering to transport Flybe staff and customers to their destination for free over the next week, upon production of a boarding card or flight confirmation.

Loganair, which was a Flybe franchise partner, has picked up some of its services, including some from Jersey, but none of the Guernsey routes.