Latest news with #BlueIslands
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Blue Islands CEO apologises as new plane joins fleet
The CEO of a Channel Islands airline has apologised to customers for service disruptions whilst introducing a new plane to its Islands said its new aircraft G-ISLP, its first ATR 72-600, was "ready to welcome" passengers on board this company removed 28 flights from its summer schedule in May due to a damaged plane and the new aircraft being delayed. Rob Veron, CEO of Blue Islands, said in a social media post that the past few months had been "challenging for our passengers". He said: "I know many of you feel let down. Aircraft maintenance issues, delayed parts, and weather damage all hit us simultaneously, causing last-minute cancellations and disruption."On top of that, this new aircraft, meant to solve these problems, was delayed by supply chain issues, which only added to the problem." 'Genuinely sorry' Jersey's government said in May that it might take action against the airline if its services did not improve, with particular concern for islanders travelling to hospitals in the UK for health Veron said as an islander he understood the importance of reliable transport."I'm genuinely sorry for the frustration and inconvenience this has caused," he said. "Whether you missed important business meetings, family gatherings, or medical appointments, I know our service disruptions had real impacts on your lives. "The good news is this new aircraft is now here and ready to help us earn back your trust."The new aircraft has additional capacity, Mr Veron said, and the airline was committed to keeping on schedule in future."Over the coming weeks, you can expect fewer cancellations, better resilience, and the dependable service that connects our island communities with each other, the UK and Europe."
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Compensation calls for Blue Island passengers
Deputy Inna Gardiner has called for passengers impacted by Blue Islands flight delays and cancellations to get travelling by Blue Islands have faced recent disruption with some islanders missing medical appointments in Southampton because of cancellations. The airline removed 28 flights from its summer schedule due to one aircraft being damaged and another new addition to its fleet being delayed. Economic Development Minister Deputy Kirsten Morel acknowledged the airline had not been performing well enough but said a compensation scheme could make flight routes less viable. Deputy Gardiner told the BBC that islanders could not continue to pay for delays and said: "I would encourage the minister for sustainable economic development and the consumer council to get together to find a way that islanders can be protected, can be compensated and can be reimbursed."Whether its through the insurance company, or through the airline or through a special compensation scheme." Deputy Morel said a compensation scheme would not be introduced in this government said: "If you start a compensation scheme its going to add significant cost to the viability of the routes, that means routes will become less viable and so you could see airlines pulling out of certain routes if they are forced to be part of a compensation scheme."It would take some time to look at properly and its not something we are going to look at between now and the end of the states assembly." During a States Assembly sitting, the minister encouraged islanders to get travel Deputy Louise Doublet responded by saying insurance companies were not always paying out because they wrongly thought islanders were protected by EU law regarding flight Jersey Consumer Council said UK and EU law meant passengers on UK and EU-based airlines could claim more than £200 compensation for cancellations - but the equivalent law does not exist in the Channel Morel said if this issue was happening to people they should go to the Channel Islands' financial services ombudsman.
BBC News
29-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
States of Jersey may act if Blue Islands airline delays continue
The Jersey government says it could take action against a regional airline if its services do not in Jersey have faced cancelled or delayed Blue Islands flights - with one aircraft having to return back to Birmingham on Sunday due to an engine failure. The company also announced a cut to 28 of its flights in the summer schedule due to one aircraft being damaged and another new addition to its fleet being delayed. Ministers said they had contacted Blue Islands with their concerns - especially about flights for medical Islands has been contacted for comment. The government added: "Delayed and cancelled flights can cause a great deal of stress, particularly for people travelling for hospital appointments and other important engagements. "Blue Islands provided crucial lifeline services for Jersey throughout the pandemic and continues to contribute to our growing network through flights to a range of European and UK destinations. "We know that Blue Islands takes their responsibilities seriously and we expect them to achieve more effective operations as soon as possible."The government said it remained in "constant contact" with the company and that it would "continue to monitor the situation and consider further potential action where necessary".
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Pilot battles to land plane with 70 people after engine fails in strong winds
A dramatic video caught the moment a plane, with 70 passengers onboard, battled strong winds when it was forced to make an emergency landing after an engine failed A heroic pilot battled to land a plane with 70 passengers onboard after the engine failed in strong winds. The aircraft, which had taken off from Birmingham, was forced to land just after it departed at 3pm on Sunday May 25. A nail-biting video showed the Blue Islands flight, which was bound for Jersey, unsteadily rocking from side to side in the air while it fought 30mph crosswinds. The aircraft was seen approaching the ground before veering across the runway. Emergency crews scrambled to the plane, as a precaution, when it landed back at the airport it took off from. Onlookers saw the propeller-driven plane lurch from side to side before it came to a stop. The pilot of the ATR 72 aircraft was praised after the safe landing. Michael North said: "Absolutely insane level of control there. Three times he saved that from a slide and a possible rollover." Stevie Vincent added: "The crew were using thrust reversal with the propeller. Because only one engine was operating, it caused the aircraft to yaw. "He counteracted this with the use of brakes. It was not an intentional slide to slow the airframe." And Jason Hammond said: "And that's why air pilots are worth all of the pay." A Blue Islands spokesperson said: "Blue Islands flight SI2265 from Birmingham to Jersey returned safely to stand in Birmingham on Sunday (25 May). "On departing Birmingham, the crew observed an indication which, following the standard operating procedure, the aircraft returned to stand and passengers disembarked normally. The aircraft is being attended to by our engineers." The airline also explained what onboard crews did after the engine issue was noticed. The spokesperson added: "The safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft is our highest priority. The engine at no time stopped working in an uncontrolled way. "The flight crew received a cockpit indication of a technical issue. They then followed the aircraft manufacturers' approved procedures to deal with that issue. "These procedures have an abundance of caution built into them to ensure passenger safety." This has not been the first time a plane has been forced to make an emergency landing after one of its engines stopped working. A Ryanair flight, from Knock Airport from Milan Bergamo, Italy, had to divert to Dublin Airport, in July 2024. The aircraft was said to have experienced "strong vibrations" on its left engine which caused it to be briefly powered by just the one engine. The plane safely landed before passengers were moved onto a replacement plane to continue onto its final destination. A Ryanair spokeswoman said: "This flight from Milan to Knock (18 July) diverted to Dublin due to a minor technical issue with the aircraft. The aircraft landed normally and was taken for inspection by engineers."
BBC News
26-05-2025
- BBC News
Blue Islands plane makes emergency landing after engine failure
A passenger plane travelling from Birmingham to Jersey had to make an emergency landing shortly after take-off when one of its two engines stopped Blue Islands plane, which typically has space for around 70 passengers, took off at 15:00 BST on Sunday but had to return to the airport, landing successfully in strong winds.A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport said the passengers had disembarked BBC has contacted Blue Islands, a regional airline for the Channel Islands, for comment. The airport spokesperson said: "One flight was diverted, but no other restrictions were placed on the runway as a result of this."We apologise for this inconvenience and encourage those impacted to contact their airline for latest information."
