Passengers have been left stranded after a British airline collapsed and immediately cancelled all of its flights.
Channel Islands-based carrier Blue Islands has ceased operations and grounded all planes.
The airline, which employed around 100 staff, had been running services to various destinations across the British Isles and beyond for two decades.
The Jersey-based operator announced on Friday it had stopped trading and cancelled all bookings.
Blue Islands, which operated a fleet of five ATR-72 aircraft, had its headquarters in Guernsey but chiefly linked Jersey with airports in England, including Bristol, Exeter and Southampton.
The airline’s website tells passengers: ‘We regret to inform you that Blue Islands has suspended trading effective on 14 November 2025.
‘All future flights operated by Blue Islands have been cancelled. Please do not travel to the airport unless you have made alternative travel arrangements.
‘We deeply regret the inconvenience that this will bring to your travel plans.’
Passengers have been left stranded after a British airline collapsed and immediately cancelled all of its flights (stock image)
Thousands of passengers who have advance bookings with the carrier are encouraged to contact their bank or payment card provider if they booked directly.
Blue Islands further stated: ‘For bookings made through our codeshare partner Aurigny but travelling on a Blue Islands flight, please contact Aurigny directly – some flights may still be operating.
‘For bookings made through a travel agent or holiday company, please contact the company through whom you booked for advice and guidance.’
The Jersey government provided Blue Islands with £8.5m in funding, with a report in August 2025 showing that £7m remained unpaid.
Elaine Millar, Jersey’s minister for Treasury and Resources, said: ‘I am saddened by the announcement that Blue Islands has suspended operations, and my immediate thoughts are with the people whose jobs have been affected and the passengers whose travel will be disrupted.’
She confirmed that ‘For those employees based in Jersey, government support is ready and available.’
She also stressed the vital nature of air links for the island and provided reassurance that backup measures were already prepared to quickly restore connections, adding: ‘Government is working with an alternative airline to ensure that Jersey has reliable and sustainable air links for the long term.’
Aurigny and Loganair have confirmed they are adding additional services to their timetables to assist Blue Islands passengers.
Loganair announced it was launching services from Jersey to Guernsey, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton alongside Guernsey to Southampton from Sunday, whilst Aurigny has introduced flights for the Southampton to Guernsey and Guernsey to Jersey routes ‘initially until Wednesday’.
Both carriers confirmed special fares were being offered on the services to help passengers who needed to travel on any of the impacted routes.
A Loganair statement said: ‘We understand this will be a worrying time for those hoping to travel to and from Jersey and in response we’re starting operations from Sunday 16 November.’
An Aurigny spokesperson said the airline was ‘deeply saddened’ about Blue Islands ceasing trading.
‘Following the announcement that Blue Islands has entered administration, Aurigny is taking immediate action to assist Blue Islands customers across the Channel Islands,’ the spokesperson added.
The downfall of Blue Islands marks the second regional airline to collapse in less than three weeks after Eastern Airways’ cessation of operations on 28 October.
A spokesperson for Ports of Jersey said: ‘”This is another sad day for regional aviation, coming so soon after the news about Eastern Airways.
‘For almost two decades, the Blue Islands brand has played a vital role in the UK’s regional aviation market, serving Channel Island communities year-round with essential air connectivity.’
