Blue Islands Reduces Summer Flights Due to Fleet Problems

Blue Islands Reduces Summer Flights Amid Fleet Challenges

Blue Islands has announced a reduction of 28 flights, accounting for 13% of its summer schedule, through mid-July as it addresses ongoing operational difficulties. The regional airline, headquartered in Jersey, attributed the adjustments primarily to persistent fleet maintenance issues compounded by global aviation supply chain delays.

Impact on Routes and Services

The flight reductions will affect four of Blue Islands’ 18 summer routes: Jersey to Birmingham, Bristol, and Exeter, as well as Guernsey to Southampton. Despite these cuts, the airline has pledged to maintain at least daily services to Bristol and Exeter, alongside multiple daily flights between Guernsey and Southampton. Crucially, essential operations such as patient transfers and freight transport will continue without interruption.

Causes of Operational Disruptions

Blue Islands identified global supply chain challenges as a significant factor limiting aircraft availability. One new aircraft, anticipated to join the fleet, has been delayed by nearly four months due to extended maintenance requirements imposed by its lessor. Additionally, another aircraft remains grounded following engine damage caused by debris ingestion, with replacement parts and engines in short supply worldwide.

Industry data indicates that two of Blue Islands’ five ATR72-500 aircraft—registered as G-ISLK and G-ISLN—are currently out of service for maintenance. Meanwhile, the airline’s first ATR72-600, G-ISLP, is still undergoing pre-delivery maintenance in Exeter.

Operational Performance and Remaining Routes

Despite these setbacks, Blue Islands reported a strong operational performance in March, completing 98.5% of its scheduled flights according to data from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The airline currently operates 214 weekly flights connecting the Channel Islands with various mainland UK and European destinations.

All other routes, including Jersey to Southampton, Guernsey to Nottingham East Midlands, Norwich, Newcastle, Paris, Zurich, and Rotterdam, as well as Guernsey to Jersey, Exeter, East Midlands, Newcastle, Norwich, and Rotterdam, remain unaffected by the current schedule changes.

Blue Islands has not provided comments regarding market reactions or competitor responses to the flight reductions. The airline emphasized that these temporary cuts are designed to enhance service reliability and minimize further disruptions for passengers.