Loganair Awaits Final Decision on Key Guernsey Route Licences

January 2, 2026 at 12:48 PM•3 min read

Loganair is awaiting a decision from Guernsey's Transport Licencing Authority on two air transport licence applications for essential routes following Blue Islands' collapse.

Key Points

1Two air transport licence applications from Loganair for Guernsey-Jersey and Guernsey-Southampton routes are still pending TLA approval.
2The licensing process was triggered by the sudden collapse and liquidation of regional carrier Blue Islands in November 2025.
3The Guernsey-Jersey route is designated as an essential service from January 15, 2026, and a licence for Aurigny on this route has already been approved.
4Loganair is establishing a permanent Jersey operating base and highlights its financial stability and operational resilience in its licence case.

The Scottish carrier Loganair is still waiting for approval on two air transport licence applications for services to and from Guernsey. A spokesperson for the airline confirmed it had submitted a “robust case” and was awaiting the Transport Licencing Authority (TLA) decision. The TLA confirmed the two applications remain under consideration as of early January 2026.

Licensing Process and Essential Routes

The TLA is responsible for issuing licences for designated essential routes Guernsey relies upon. These routes are critical for the island's connectivity. They currently include services to Gatwick, Alderney, and Southampton. The Guernsey-Jersey inter-island link is scheduled to become an essential route on January 15, 2026.

Loganair's applications cover two key sectors: Guernsey to Jersey and Guernsey to Southampton. The law requires that the TLA consider applications in the order they were submitted. State-owned airline Aurigny also applied for the Guernsey-Jersey route and received approval.

Market Shift After Blue Islands Collapse

This licensing process follows significant disruption in the regional air travel market. Regional carrier Blue Islands collapse occurred in November 2025 after the airline ceased trading and entered liquidation. The sudden loss of the operator prompted the TLA to receive three applications for the newly available routes. Loganair and Aurigny quickly stepped in to provide rescue flights and restore lost capacity.

Loganair, which operates a large fleet of nearly 40 aircraft, has been actively building its presence in the region. The airline is establishing a permanent operating base to provide Jersey hub services. This base will support new services to Guernsey, Exeter, Bristol, and Southampton.

Loganair’s Commitment to Connectivity

The airline's focus is on securing connectivity between the Islands and the UK mainland. Loganair's CEO has previously highlighted the company's financial and operational resilience. The airline is the UK's only privately owned, debt-free regional airline operating at scale. This financial stability is a key factor in its case to the TLA. The carrier also offers passengers seamless access to the British Airways global network through a codeshare partnership.

The TLA’s final decision is crucial for long-term air service resilience in the Bailiwick. The goal is to ensure reliable, year-round air links for residents and businesses. A competitive, multi-carrier environment is generally seen as strengthening long-term resilience. Loganair has stated it is prepared to meet any minimum service obligations attached to the licence. This ongoing process is a key development in commercial aviation news as the Channel Islands restructure their essential air links. Further updates on the two outstanding Loganair Guernsey routes applications are expected soon. For more industry analysis, visit flying.flights.

Loganair has not sought financial support from the States of Guernsey for these routes.