Airline Blue Islands announces new Manchester route

Image caption, Blue Islands will be one of three airlines to fly between Manchester and the Channel Islands

Airline Blue Islands has announced it will begin operating a new Channel Islands to Manchester route in October.

The new route coincides with the ending of a Jersey to Manchester route operated by BMI.

Currently only Aurigny flies between Guernsey and Manchester, with Flybe serving a Jersey to Manchester route.

Rob Veron, managing director of Blue Islands, said: "As a local airline, it is important we continue to grow our Channel Island network for the people."

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport's managing director, said: "Blue Islands is new to Manchester and I'm very pleased that they have chosen to operate services from here.

"The Channel Islands are very popular destinations and we know that our passengers will be pleased that these remain part of our network."

Flights will start on 31 October, operating between Guernsey and Manchester, via Jersey.

Blue Islands is based in Guernsey, and currently flies between the Channel Islands, the UK and Switzerland.