UK regional airline Blue Islands has ceased operations ‘with immediate effect’.
In a statement, the airline said simply that it was suspending operations and ‘considering its options’.
The airline has been operating Channel Island services since 2001. Initially known as ‘Rockhopper’ it changes to Blue Islands in 2006.
It’s collapse represents the second of the UK’s handful of regional airlines to go under in as many weeks, following Eastern Airways’ filing for administration on November 7.
Blue Islands had borrowed £8.5m from the Jersey government at the start of the pandemic. To date, £7m remains unpaid, almost halfway through the loan term.
READ: Eastern Airways cancels all flights as administration looms
“After 26 years of serving the Channel Islands, we deeply regret that Blue Islands has this evening suspended its operations,” said a spokesperson from the airline. “After very constructive dialogue with Government of Jersey in recent months, including what we understood to have been ongoing assessments of the future options, we were informed this afternoon that they are unable to provide further support. This has meant that we now need to suspend flying immediately whilst we consider the options available and how we can help our customers, staff and stakeholders.”