Low cost airlines have become a must in any airport because many of us don’t mind traveling a bit more uncomfortably if that way we can save a few dollars. But Great Britain has just seen how two of its most important low cost airlines stopped operating overnight and without warning!
Blue Islands and Eastern Airways have been the two that suddenly canceled all their flights and had to turn to the English courts to avoid liquidation. The passengers, of course, were left stranded without their trip, leaving the highway clear for their arch-enemy Ryanair (which had to offer these travelers special fares so they could make their trip).
What happened?
Eastern Airways offered trips to the oil centers of eastern England and charter flights for sports teams, but at the end of October it was over.
On the other hand, on the night of November 14, Blue Island, based in the Channel Islands (part of Great Britain but not of the United Kingdom) confirmed that they were ending operations after many negotiations with the Government of Jersey. It did not work because the government had decided to withdraw its support after all those negotiations, but without financial support, Blue Islands could not operate.
“After 26 years serving the Channel Islands, we deeply regret that Blue Islands has suspended its operations this afternoon.”
As we say, they are not the only ones who have had to say goodbye to the sky and close the shutters, during the last months there has been a chain of bankruptcies that has completely shaken regional European aviation.
A blow for the Channel Islands
The fall of Blue Islands is a disruption of a network that, for Jersey and Guernsey, is almost a basic service.
It has been 26 years of work during which the company connected these islands with several cities in the United Kingdom, Southampton, Exeter, East Midlands, Norwich, Newcastle, Leeds… routes that are not “luxury”, but essential for the daily life of thousands of people who move mainly for work.
They survived thanks to public money.
Yes, they had been depending for a while on aid from the Government of Jersey to survive, but they had an outstanding debt of about 9.21 million dollars after a loan, but that situation was unsustainable.
Disconnected communities
In the Channel Islands there are no trains or roads that bring you to the mainland, if there are no flights, the citizens of this area are condemned to stay on the island.
Neighbors, workers, students and businesses depend on air transport for almost everything.
No flights… and no refunds
The statement from Blue Islands made it clear that there will be no refunds from the airline, if you bought a ticket, you have to claim it from your bank or your credit card. Something that seems quite unfair to travelers…
What affected passengers can do
- Not show up at the airport because there are no flights.
- Try to be rebooked with Aurigny (its commercial partner, which for now survives) or look for alternatives with other airlines.
- Keep all payment receipts to manage the refund.
2025 and aviation
Let’s say this year is being very complicated for airlines and the list is much longer than we would like.
- Spirit Airlines (second bankruptcy of the year)
- Ravn Alaska
- Corporate Air
- Verijet
- Kachina Air (Chapter 11 in October)
“With how much it costs to travel, someone must be responsible for the inconveniences and problems created by the bankruptcy of these airlines. To avoid this, why is no financial report published showing the situation of the airline? To protect passengers there should be a law that guarantees that passengers receive their losses first, instead of banks and institutions, since passengers do not have the same economic capacity as they do,” said a user.
Fewer routes, higher prices
Now with Blue Islands not operating, there is less competition and a fairly large demand, which their competitors will probably take advantage of to set higher ticket prices (because there are fewer options).
Aurigny is one of the alternatives, but they are still not sure they can cover the flow of travelers that Blue Islands leaves behind.
What will happen in the region and to travelers?
The most likely thing is that the Government of Jersey will look for agreements with other airlines or some incentive to attract new operators because this area cannot remain isolated (although right now it is a little bit).