THE AIRLINE
Blue Islands entered the scheduled airline market (as Le Cocq's Airlink) following
a period during which it carried perishable goods from Bournemouth to Alderney,
where the company had set up a supermarket some years earlier.
The airline commenced scheduled operations during 2002 and on the 31st
January 2003 it celebrated its first year of scheduled operations with a special
champagne reception on its morning flight from Bournemouth to Jersey.
There were also celebrations on the 2nd February 2003 when the airline held
champagne receptions at both Bournemouth Airport and Alderney Airport
to mark the carrying of the airline's 10,000th passenger. The lucky passenger
was then given the chance to take part in a tolley dash at Le Cocq's Supermarket.
In September 2003 the airline, which was previously known as
Le Cocq's AirLink, changed its name to Rockhopper and on the 22nd
September 2003 it launched a four times daily return service between
Guernsey and Jersey in competition with Aurigny Air Services.
In November 2003 the Guernsey-Jersey service was
increased to a five times daily return service and this has
since been increased to eleven return flights on certain days.
In May 2004 the airline comenced services between
Alderney and Shoreham and between Jersey and St. Brieuc.
In October 2004 the airline commenced flights between Guernsey
and Alderney and direct flights between Guernsey and St. Brieuc.
It also become the sole operator between Jersey and Alderney.
On the 14th February 2006 the airline changed its name to Blue Islands.
On the 10th April 2006 Blue Islands commenced a daily weekday
service between Guernsey/Jersey and the Isle of Man.
At the end of October 2006 all flights to and from St. Brieuc ceased.
On the 18th November 2006 Blue Islands started a weekly
scheduled service between Guernsey and Cardiff.
In March 2007 Blue Islands announced that it would
be terminating all flighs between Alderney and Jersey.
At the same time BN-2B-26 Islander G-BIIP left the fleet.
In April 2007 Blue Islands was granted permission to operate
flights between Guernsey and Southampton in competition with Flybe.
Also in April 2007 Blue Islands announced that it had plans to
commence flights between Jersey and Geneva, Paris and Zurich
In May 2007 Blue Islands commenced a new 6 times a week service to
Paris (Beauvais). Flights operate daily except Saturday using J32 aircraft.
At the same time flights between Guernsey and Cardiff were axed.
Blue Islands commenced twice daily flights between
Guernsey and Southampton on Monday 2nd July 2007.
On the 6th November 2007 commenced new routes to Geneva and Zurich.
Flights are operated by the newly acquired Dornier 328-100 G-BYHG.
THE FLEET
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