Aurigny Air Services (GR, Guernsey) and fellow Channel Island operator Blue Islands (SI, Jersey) have announced they will cease codesharing on flights between Guernsey and Jersey with effect from March 16. The inter-island codeshare agreement came into effect in March 2014 and was valid for an initial period of two years.
As it stands, Blue Islands will continue to operate the route following Aurigny's pull out. According to a statement, all passengers booked on Aurigny's Guernsey-Jersey services between March 17 and 26 will be re-booked automatically onto a Blue Islands flights.
Despite the announcement, the Guernsey government has asked Aurigny to prepare a plan to resume the route in the event Blue Islands, as a consequence of its impending flybe. (2002) (Exeter) franchise agreement, is unable to operate the route on an acceptable basis.
"We have asked Aurigny to develop a business case and detailed plan for restoring its own independent services and to ensure that it stands ready to re-enter the route in the event that the franchise results in a material reduction in service levels or fare increase. However, this would be a substantial undertaking requiring significant investment, so we will be carefully monitoring developments in the weeks ahead before deciding whether this can be justified in the wider interests of the Bailiwick," Treasury and Resources Minister, Deputy Gavin St Pier, said.
