Blue Islands has today announced an increase in seats on the peak inter-island services it operates as a flybe franchise partner by introducing one of its new larger ATR 72 aircraft to the route from the Spring/Summer season 2017.

The airline's 68-seat ATR 72 aircraft will replace the 46-seat ATR 42 currently operating the peak morning and evening inter-island flights on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; the busiest days for inter-island travel.

Tom Barrasin, Blue Islands Chief Commercial Officer said

Utilising a larger aircraft at peak periods of demand allows Blue Islands to provide more seats than ever before at the times that people have historically chosen to travel. This is now possible due to Blue Islands' recent investment in two larger 68-seat ATR 72 aircraft. There have been a number of schedule changes to facilitate this increase in capacity at peak times.

Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Senator Lyndon Farnham said

The move by Blue Islands to introduce more capacity at peak times on the inter-island route is most welcome. I have been concerned at the decline in inter-island travel and very much hope that the positive steps taken by Blue Islands will ensure that we can completely fulfil the demand for seats at peak times.

The introduction of the larger aircraft on Blue Islands operated inter-island services, which commences 28 March 2017, will result in a 48% increase in the number of peak morning seats available in each direction on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Mr Barrasin explained

Demand for travel between Guernsey and Jersey varies hugely throughout the week and is ever changing, as such we continually monitor the market and strive to ensure our schedule is optimised to meet the evolving needs of travellers. The challenge for any airline operating the route is how best to provide capacity at the required travel times in an efficient, sustainable and economically viable manner.

Whilst Blue Islands is unable to provide a level of frequency and capacity beyond what is commercially sustainable, there is an element of flexibility in when flights operate. In the coming months, Blue Islands will launch a consultation process with major industry bodies in both Guernsey and Jersey to seek a consensus view on the preferred timings of the services that Blue Islands offer. Following this process Blue Islands will adjust its schedule to reflect the feedback received should this be required to further align with our customers' requirements.