Flybe, Blue Islands reach 10-year franchise agreement

Europe’s largest regional airline, UK-based Flybe, and Channel Islands-based carrier Blue Islands will start a 10-year franchise agreement from June 6, the two airlines have announced. Blue Islands, which operates a small fleet of five ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprops, is based in Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands off the coast of Normandy. Although close to France, the islands are British territories. Under the agreement, Blue Islands’ aircraft will operate in Flybe livery and undertake six routes between the islands and the UK, as well as a winter season service between Jersey and Geneva. Some of the services are currently operated by Flybe, which will be able to redeploy its aircraft elsewhere. <br/>