The Guernsey Press understands that Aurigny had prepared a bid to buy Blue Islands and that talks between them were under way which could have led to an orderly takeover.
Both airlines were caught by surprise when the States of Jersey informed Blue Islands on Friday that it was withdrawing financial support which had kept the airline going in recent years and hours later it suspended operations and told staff they no longer had a job.
It is unclear whether a rescue deal will now proceed, but in the meantime Aurigny announced overnight that it would operate 10 additional flights on the Guernsey-Southampton route and eight on the Guernsey-Jersey route between today and Wednesday.
The airline, owned by the States of Guernsey, said it was taking ‘immediate action’ in a bid ‘to assist passengers and secure critical lifeline routes’. It was also considering further schedule additions with more announcements expected in the coming days.
‘Aurigny’s immediate actions to help Blue Islands’ passengers underline our commitment always to go further in serving the people of Guernsey and always get travellers home,’ said Aurigny chief executive Nico Bezuidenhout.
‘Tonight [Friday] and 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 also to be a social and economic enabler for the islands.’
Ports of Jersey, meanwhile, has announced that Loganair will commence operations to and from island on Sunday ‘to ensure continuity of vital air connectivity’.
It said the airline was planning to establish a permanent operating base on the island.
The first of Aurigny's additional flights to Jersey will depart Guernsey at 1pm today and the first to Southampton will depart Guernsey at 6.20pm today.
Aurigny said it had worked swiftly with airport officials to devise an interim schedule aimed at protecting routes put at risk by Blue Islands’ sudden collapse and its own existing schedule.
It has offered a ‘get me home’ fare of £49.99 one way for flights between Guernsey and Jersey between today and Monday. These tickets can be purchased directly through Aurigny’s app, website and contact centre.
Passengers on the Guernsey-Southampton route who have tickets marketed and issued by Blue Islands for flights operated by either airline are being offered a ‘get me home’ fare of £79.99 one way between Saturday and Monday.
Passengers on the Guernsey-Southampton route who have tickets marketed and issued by Aurigny for flights operated by Blue Islands will be moved to services operated by Aurigny.
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