Blue Islands launches Manchester service

Channel Islands-based airline Blue Islands has announced plans to fly direct from Manchester Airport to Jersey with onward connections to Guernsey.

The daily flights at 12.15pm from Manchester Airport will commence on 31 October this year, with fares starting from £49 including all taxes and charges.

Blue Islands said the flight to Jersey is just over an hour and passengers remain on the aircraft to connect through to Guernsey, which is a 15 minute flight.

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport's managing director, said: "Blue Islands are new to Manchester and I'm very pleased that they have chosen to operate services from here, once again demonstrating the attractiveness of Manchester to airlines. The Channel Islands are very popular destinations and we know that our passengers will be pleased that these remain part of our network."

Blue Islands offer a service that includes no baggage or card charges, which the airline said is popular amongst its passengers.

Rob Veron, managing director of Blue Islands, added: "I look forward to welcoming new passengers living in and around Greater Manchester and hope that they enjoy Blue Islands and our 'welcome difference' brand values. These are hugely popular with our passengers – no baggage charges, no debit or credit card charges and free ticket changes provide passengers with huge flexibility without having to pay any hidden charges.

"Manchester is a key UK destination for Channel Island passengers who use the airport as a gateway to the North of England, therefore it is important that this route remains to serve the market demand."

Founded in 2006, Blue Islands connects the Channel Islands to a number of UK and European destinations including Southampton, Zurich, Geneva, Isle of Man and more recently London City and Bristol, as well as Manchester.