BLUE ISLANDS has declared a price war after being awarded its new Southampton route. The airline won the right to fly to the south coast city following a hearing before Commerce and Employment on Monday.

Delighted chairman Derek Coates immediately laid down the gauntlet to Flybe, which had objected to the application, by promising to slash prices.

‘Our intention is to introduce fully flexible fares at approximately half the price offered by Flybe on this route,’ he said.

‘We believe this will, in particular, appeal to members of the business community who sometimes have to change their plans at the last minute.’

Flybe market development general manager Ian Taylor said he was aware of the panel’s decision but had not seen the full judgement. He is expected to comment on Monday.

The decision to award the route was made yesterday, after Monday’s hearing in Guernsey, at which Mr Coates branded charges and lack of flexibility by Flybe as ‘vulgar’. And it comes in the same week that Commerce and Employment launched a campaign to encourage airlines to open up new routes to Guernsey.

Blue Islands will announce schedule details at the beginning of May, with flights expected to start in the summer.

Commerce minister Stuart Falla, who sat on the decision-making board, was pleased to see an increase in competition.

‘It’s good for Guernsey that people will have an alternative method of getting to Southampton on one of the island’s lifelines,’ he said.

The decision is also good news for the Fly for Sport Foundation, which receives a £5 donation from Blue Islands every time a return flight is booked using one of its vouchers.

‘We have set a target of raising at least £100,000 this year for under-18 sport,’ said foundation secretary Rob Batiste.

‘The fact that Blue Islands can now operate in and out of Southampton is sure to increase our prospects of achieving that.’

The foundation was set up in February at the instigation of Mr Coates. All money raised will be donated to youth sport.