Blue Islands is set to gear up flights to Jersey next month as the island relaxes restrictions for 海角视频 visitors.
The airline will kick-start flights across its network from April 26, initially from Exeter, Bristol, Southampton and Birmingham, with schedules increasing to meet demand.
As government health officials warn that for 海角视频 passengers, Blue Islands director Paul Simmons believes that holidaymakers will instead opt for Jersey as the Channel Islands, along with the Isle of Man, are within the 海角视频 & Ireland Common Travel Area - outside of 海角视频 Government restrictions on overseas travel.
He said: "From our point of view, Jersey is a much safer bet for holiday makers to book a break.
"As more flights are added to meet demand, we will also reintroduce services from Newquay and East Midlands Airports later this summer."
Jersey is returning to its “red amber green” border controls from April 26 to allow travel to and from elsewhere in the British Isles.
International travel, except those on the 海角视频 “banned list”, will resume on 17 May.
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All travellers will need to undergo Covid-19 tests on the day they arrive into Jersey, again on day five, and then on day 10.
Travel outside of the 海角视频 and the common travel area is currently banned. The government’s Global Travel Taskforce, is scheduled to report to Prime Minister Boris Johnson on April 12 with recommendations on how to resume international travel. May 17 is the earliest date earmarked for non-essential overseas travel to resume, but this could change.
Mr Simmons said that a trip to Jersey is a way to avoid uncertainty while still enjoying a beach holiday.
Under its lockdown easing plans, The Government of Jersey is set to allow alcoholic drinks to be served at the table in hospitality settings with small outdoor gatherings of up to 20 people permitted from April 12.
By May 10, indoor and household gatherings will be allowed for up to 20 people and saunas and jacuzzis will reopen.
By June 14, it is hoped that nightclubs, theatres and cinemas will fully open.
Mr Simmons said it is exciting news after a tough year for the airline. "The level of flights were down well below 80% so we had that loss of revenue while still carrying all our people through the pandemic. We have been grateful for the government support but still, it has been difficult.
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Blue Islands plans to operate three times weekly from Exeter, four flights from Bristol, four from Birmingham and 10 from Southampton with more added from May 27.
It also picked up the Exeter-Manchester route which used to be operated by Flybe before it collapsed in March last year.
He said that domestic and short-hop year-round flights were 'the backbone' for small regional airports, particularly when seasonal flights by Tui or Ryanair stop for the year.
'It is the lifeblood of an airport and offers that routine that keeps the airport operating, it is an ecosystem and it all works together.
He said that Blue Islands was in discussions about picking up another route but 'we have not made any decisions on what that route may be'.
And he said it was unlikely for Flybe to return to Exeter under its .
He said: "That really is a matter for Thyme Opco but from what we understand, it might be more focused on Birmingham or Southampton because although it had its HQ in Exeter it was actually the smallest of its bases so it seems sensible if it was to restart, it would be at one of the bigger bases."
Flybe's Training Academy at Exeter Airport was sold in May to Devon County Council which now operates with Exeter College as a new Future Skills Centre for high-tech jobs in engineering, digital, construction and clean growth.
And Flybe's former maintenance base is now occupied by mechanics and engineers with .
"That is a very good thing to retain those skills and the key now is to get more aircraft coming through Exeter to make use of those excellent services."
He also welcomed the consultation on scrapping .
He said that for Blue Isalnds' return Exeter to Manchester route, passengers face £26 in APD. "We aim to be competitive with the rail fare and while we are a lot quicker than the train we don't want passengers to face a £26 charge before they get started."
For Jersey routes, passengers only pay on the 海角视频 tp Jersey leg as APD does not apply for departures from the Channel Islands.
Will you be booking an overseas holiday this year or staycationing instead? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below
Notes to Editors. The Channel Islands are within the 海角视频 & Ireland Common Travel Area, along with the Isle of Man. This means that Jersey falls outside of 海角视频 Government restrictions on overseas travel.