Blue Islands (SI, Jersey) is set to become a flybe. (2002) (Exeter) franchise operator following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two carriers earlier this week.

Under the terms of the deal, Blue Islands will operate flights to and from Jersey and Guernsey airports with effect from May this year.

As with Flybe’s other franchisees, Loganair (LM, Glasgow International) and Stobart Air (Dublin International), Blue Islands’ flights will be branded and marketed as Flybe and sold through Flybe distribution channels.

"Whilst our aircraft will be re-painted in Flybe livery, we will still remain an independent locally-owned air operator continuing to fly all our own aircraft under the Blue Islands AOC (Air Operators Certificate)," Rob Veron, Blue Islands’ managing director, said. "We will continue to employ all our own crew, undertake all our own maintenance and control our own handling arrangements, and set our own prices."

Blue Islands operates a fleet of four ATR42-300s and one ATR72-500 on flights connecting Guernsey and Jersey to Bristol International, Geneva, London City, and Southampton.