Air transport between the islands was considered essential

In an effort to increase flexibility on this route, the Economic Development Committee has stated that any operator wishing to serve this route from January 15, 2026, will require a license.

This decision follows the closure of Channel Islands airline Blue Islands last week.

The Committee stated that licensing would allow minimum service levels to be set and managed by the States' Transport Licensing Authority.

Economic Development Chair Sasha Kazantseva-Miller said the collapse of Blue Islands has "created significant uncertainty for the Bailiwick and wider Channel Islands air services."She said the committee met on Sunday to "consider how best to provide assurance to travellers, especially over Christmas and the New Year, and also to provide longer-term resilience from 2026 onwards".

"We did so in light of significant developments during the last year with regards transport connectivity," she said."This approach will support a long-term solution through a formal process, while also enabling passengers to make plans during the Christmas and New Year period."

Deputy Kazantseva-Miller said the Committee is confident that islanders will enjoy the convenience of flights between Jersey and Guernsey during the festive season, as two airlines currently operate on this route.

Before the new system came into effect, any airline could operate on this route without a license.