Jersey's Blue Islands gives reassurances on future re flybe.

Blue Islands (SI, Jersey) says it can go it alone regardless of what happens to partner and franchisor flybe. (2002) (Exeter). Blue Islands became a flybe franchisee in 2016 and has been running branded operations since then.

However, concerns were raised about the future of the tie-up given flybe's decision to put itself on the market last week given a difficult operating environment.

In a follow-up statement, a Blue Islands spokesman told the Bailiwick Express that as a completely separate company, the Jersey-based airline could and would continue to operate regardless of what happens to flybe.

"Blue Islands is a wholly-independent, locally-owned airline that currently operates as a Flybe franchise partner utilising the Flybe brand and sales channels and remains fully committed to serving the Channel Islands," the spokesman said.

"While we do not envisage a change to current arrangements, Blue Islands could market its scheduled services independently should it be necessary to do so. We continue to enjoy a good relationship with Flybe and will watch with interest the way in which this potential sale evolves."

Since last week's announcement, flybe has confirmed talks with a "number of interested investors" which, The Financial Times later said, include Stobart Group and easyJet. Despite its shaky financial state, the UK regional specialist is seen as an attractive investment primarily because of its slot portfolio.