Blue Islands has announced that Dougie Hoblyn, flight operations director, has been promoted to accountable manager, following CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) approval.

Rob Veron, Blue Islands CEO said:

The Accountable Manager role is a fitting development for Dougie who has worked tirelessly leading the flight and ground operations teams through a continued spell of growth and major transformation.

Dougie Hoblyn, Blue Islands' Accountable Manager said:

As an airline, regulation and compliance are prerequisites and the main focus for an Accountable Manager under the regulatory framework set out by the CAA through EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency). This position allows me to continuously develop Blue Islands' safety and compliance systems together with enhancing our operational capabilities and performance.

The Accountable Manager is the principle post holder position which every commercial airline must have to satisfy the requirements of its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and has the overall responsibility to ensure the airline remains in full compliance with all regulations.

Mr Veron added:

Blue Islands has recently added a second larger 68-seat ATR 72 aircraft to its fleet for an additional 20% capacity increase as we continue to develop our strategy for further growth of our Guernsey and Jersey networks.

Originally from Glasgow, Mr Hoblyn first started flying for Blue Islands in 2002 (when the airline was branded Le Cocq's Airlink) and after a spell overseas, he returned to Blue Islands in 2011 as Flight Operations Director and lives in Jersey with his wife and two children.