Blue Islands (Flybe)

[Jerry]

New airline flying to CWL so i thought i'd give them there very own thread.

They will commence 3 weekly flights from GCI on Tuesday 2nd May and be flown on a 66 seater ATR72-500

Tuesday and Thursday
GCI-CWL 09.45-10.45
CWL-GCI 11.15-12.15
Saturday
GCI-CWL 12.15-13.15
CWL-GCI 13.45-14.45

 

[Jerry]

Blue Islands start today! The first Guernsey flight arrives at 10.45 and the aircraft is an ATR 72.
Not sure but will this be the first ever GCI service to CWL?

 

[Bcn_boy]

Manx airlines then ba regional used to run a regular scheduled summer service. There used to be many charters flying there too. Quite some moons ago.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Looking at old timetable extracts the last year GCI was operated as a scheduled service was 2001 with a service on M, W, F and Sat. The carrier had a BA flight number.

I think by then it was British Regional Airlines which Manx Airlines Europe had changed its name to (it had become a BA franchisee as Manx Airlines Europe some years before 2001). In the early 'noughties' BA bought British Regional which was then merged with Brymon Airways to create British Airways Citiexpress, later BA Connect..

 

[Jerry]

News

2 MAY
New Cardiff - Guernsey service launches today
Blue Islands (a Flybe franchise partner) has today launched its inaugural Cardiff to Guernsey service, which was celebrated with a traditional water cannon salute at Cardiff Airport. The new service is available to book now at flybe.com, with all ‘Just Fly’ seats at a special launch fare of just £29.99 one way including taxes and charges, when booked by 7 May 2017 (terms apply).

Rob Veron, Blue Islands CEO said "Thanks to the reach of Flybe's sales channels, Guernsey has enjoyed more exposure to potential new visitors that can discover our beautiful island this summer. For Islanders, Cardiff is not only a fantastic city break destination, but also the gateway to South Wales and all that this stunning region has to offer.”

The new route sees three direct flights per week between Guernsey and the Welsh capital, operating on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday throughout the summer until 30 September, using Blue Islands' 68-seat ATR 72 aircraft.

Deb Barber, CEO of Cardiff Airport’s, added “It’s great to welcome another airline to Cardiff Airport. Guernsey offers visitors a unique experience and boasts stunning scenery, and with three departures a week it’s ideal for a short, relaxing break. Additionally this offers Guernsey residents the perfect opportunity to visit Wales and to discover all that our stunning country has to offer.”

Mr Veron added "We relish the challenge of launching this new direct Guernsey service, working with Cardiff Airport and Guernsey’s Economic Development Department to promote Guernsey in what is a continuously evolving and competitive market."

https://www.cardiff-airport.com/news/2017/05/02/new-guernsey-cardiff-service-launches-today/

 

[Jerry]

News

9 FEBRUARY
Blue Islands flights from Cardiff to Guernsey return for summer 2018
Following its first season of flying from Cardiff to Guernsey in 2017, Blue Islands – Flybe’s franchise partner – has confirmed the return of flights to the popular channel island for the coming summer season.

Starting from 29th May 2018, direct flights are available on Tuesdays and Saturdays and bookable on Flybe’s website, offering Welsh customers the opportunity to enjoy a short break.

Offering miles of stunning coastline and hidden coves, an abundance of fresh seafood and years of history and culture to discover, the island of Guernsey is the ideal destination for a long weekend for foodies, adrenaline seekers and culture vultures alike.

Deb Barber, CEO of Cardiff Airport, said: “It’s great to welcome one of our newest airlines, Blue Islands, back to Cardiff Airport this summer. The franchise agreement between Blue Islands and Flybe is an innovative way to offer our customers even more choice and value for money.

“The island offers visitors a unique experience and boasts stunning scenery, and with two departures a week it’s great for a relaxing break that’s not too far from home. Additionally, this service offers visitors from Guernsey the perfect opportunity to visit Wales and to discover all that our stunning country has to offer.”

Rob Veron, Blue Islands CEO, said he hoped the route would boost visitor numbers on the island of Guernsey:

“Blue Islands continues its commitment to stimulate the Guernsey visitor economy by adding a direct link to a major city during summer. Thanks to our participation in Flybe’s sales channels, Guernsey will once again enjoy exposure to thousands of potential new visitors. With two flights a week and competitive pricing, we hope many of them will take the opportunity to visit our wonderful island. This link also provides islanders with another direct city break option, along with Cardiff being the gateway to the rest of Wales.”

Summer 2018 flight schedule, operating 29 May – 1 September 2018.

Cardiff - Guernsey

Departs

Arrives

Tuesday

1115

1215

Saturday

1405

1505

Guernsey - Cardiff





Tuesday

0945

1045

Saturday

1235

1335

Tickets are on sale now at Flybe.com.

https://www.cardiff-airport.com/new...m-cardiff-to-guernsey-return-for-summer-2018/

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Has the return for 2018 just been announced? I had a feeling I had read the news a little while ago, but I might have dreamt it.

 

[Jerry]

It went onsale a while ago but this is the first press release that I've seen about the route for 2018.

 

[Silvercity]

News

9 FEBRUARY
Blue Islands flights from Cardiff to Guernsey return for summer 2018
Following its first season of flying from Cardiff to Guernsey in 2017, Blue Islands – Flybe’s franchise partner – has confirmed the return of flights to the popular channel island for the coming summer season.

Starting from 29th May 2018, direct flights are available on Tuesdays and Saturdays and bookable on Flybe’s website, offering Welsh customers the opportunity to enjoy a short break.

Offering miles of stunning coastline and hidden coves, an abundance of fresh seafood and years of history and culture to discover, the island of Guernsey is the ideal destination for a long weekend for foodies, adrenaline seekers and culture vultures alike.

Deb Barber, CEO of Cardiff Airport, said: “It’s great to welcome one of our newest airlines, Blue Islands, back to Cardiff Airport this summer. The franchise agreement between Blue Islands and Flybe is an innovative way to offer our customers even more choice and value for money.

“The island offers visitors a unique experience and boasts stunning scenery, and with two departures a week it’s great for a relaxing break that’s not too far from home. Additionally, this service offers visitors from Guernsey the perfect opportunity to visit Wales and to discover all that our stunning country has to offer.”

Rob Veron, Blue Islands CEO, said he hoped the route would boost visitor numbers on the island of Guernsey:

“Blue Islands continues its commitment to stimulate the Guernsey visitor economy by adding a direct link to a major city during summer. Thanks to our participation in Flybe’s sales channels, Guernsey will once again enjoy exposure to thousands of potential new visitors. With two flights a week and competitive pricing, we hope many of them will take the opportunity to visit our wonderful island. This link also provides islanders with another direct city break option, along with Cardiff being the gateway to the rest of Wales.”

Summer 2018 flight schedule, operating 29 May – 1 September 2018.

Cardiff - Guernsey

Departs

Arrives

Tuesday

1115

1215

Saturday

1405

1505

Guernsey - Cardiff





Tuesday

0945

1045

Saturday

1235

1335

Tickets are on sale now at Flybe.com.

https://www.cardiff-airport.com/new...m-cardiff-to-guernsey-return-for-summer-2018/

This is a route I'd like to see operate from LPL. Jersey is now one of the top routes when at one time it was summer weekends only. I would have thought a link to Guernsey would also be popular.

 

[Jerry]

I'm surprised Liverpool doesn't already have a flight to Guernsey either from Blue Islands or Aurigny.
It was 3 weekly last year but that proved too much so 2 weekly should be ok and i also noticed Jersey dropped by 10 to 15% as well so I'd imagine the route attracted the passengers who were willing to pay extra to connect but at least it wasn't a rival airline taking them off Flybe.

 

[Silvercity]

I'm surprised Liverpool doesn't already have a flight to Guernsey either from Blue Islands or Aurigny.
It was 3 weekly last year but that proved too much so 2 weekly should be ok and i also noticed Jersey dropped by 10 to 15% as well so I'd imagine the route attracted the passengers who were willing to pay extra to connect but at least it wasn't a rival airline taking them off Flybe.

Yes me too , I expect the demand won't be as high as Jersey but never the less a less frequent service would be useful I'm sure. To my memory there hasn't been an operator on the route since the days of Air Corbiere !

 

[Jerry]

The Blue Islands Guernsey route starts back this week on Tuesday it'll be 2 weekly this year with the other flight being on a Saturday.

 

[Silvercity]

The Blue Islands Guernsey route starts back this week on Tuesday it'll be 2 weekly this year with the other flight being on a Saturday.

I just wrote to them to suggest they think about GCI-LPL for the future, which is unserved, and obvious gap to fill.

 

[Jerry]

I just wrote to them to suggest they think about GCI-LPL for the future, which is unserved, and obvious gap to fill.

I am surprised that they don't operate to the north west. Liverpool would be a good option for them.

 

[David_itl]

They did do a MAN route but the loads were more appropriate for a 19 seater and not the ATR42s that were used.

 

[Silvercity]

I am surprised that they don't operate to the north west. Liverpool would be a good option for them.

It' s surprising unless the market to Guernsey is too small, which id be surprised , easyjet normally do two per day LPL to JER

 

[mullion]

Guernsey market is far smaller than Jersey

 

[superking]

Guernsey been tried I think about every airport in the north of England,and they all been dropped due to low loads.
Blue islands did Guernsey as a stand alone airline from CWL a few years back and that was dropped due to low loads.It might work better with Flybee code share as if it did not work last summer 17 then it would have been dropped again. I can only think loadings were ok but not great but enough to keep the route this summer.

 

[Jerry]

Guernsey been tried I think about every airport in the north of England,and they all been dropped due to low loads.
Blue islands did Guernsey as a stand alone airline from CWL a few years back and that was dropped due to low loads.It might work better with Flybee code share as if it did not work last summer 17 then it would have been dropped again. I can only think loadings were ok but not great but enough to keep the route this summer.

Last summer it was 3 weekly with a Thursday flight so the fact that that was cut suggests it was the weakest flight and they may have been happy with the other flights. For the airport it's a nice route to have even if it's seasonal.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

The States of Guernsey-owned Aurigny is the dominant carrier at GCI with direct routes to Alderney, Bristol, East Midlands, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, and seasonal routes to Leeds-Bradford and Norwich, plus Dinard and a seasonal Grenoble.

Flybe does Birmingham, Exeter, Southampton and Jersey, with seasonal routes to Cardiff and Zurich.