Most Blue Islands Employees Made Redundant

Almost 100 employees of Blue Islands have lost their jobs following the collapse of the airline, liquidators have confirmed.

Ernst & Young, appointed to oversee the wind-down after the carrier halted operations and cancelled all flights on Friday, said that only 12 of the company’s 110 staff members will remain in place to assist with the closure process. The remaining employees have been made redundant.

Loganair chief executive Luke Farajallah has previously indicated the Scottish airline is looking to recruit former Blue Islands workers as it expands services to cover routes left vacant by the collapse.

Blue Islands formally entered liquidation on Monday, owing £9.1 million to the Government of Jersey and a further £3.2 million to Ports of Jersey.

Liquidators urged customers not to go to the airport unless they have secured alternative travel arrangements, as all bookings with the airline are now void.

Aurigny and Loganair have both moved to take over routes previously operated by Blue Islands. Farajallah said Loganair aims to restore a full schedule of former Blue Islands services by March as it positions itself as a long-term carrier for Jersey.

Aurigny, owned by the States of Guernsey, has also announced plans to apply for a licence to operate inter-island flights.