The Guernsey-Jersey route will be designated as an essential air route from mid-January, meaning any airline wanting to fly it will need a licence.
The Economic Development committee said it is to increase resilience, after Blue Islands ceased trading on Friday night.
The airline had flown the route for more than a decade, with Aurigny withdrawing from the service nearly a decade ago following the ending of a prior-codeshare agreement between the two airlines.
Now, with Blue Islands going bust, Aurigny and Loganair have stepped in to offer a short term service before the new license arrangement starts in the new year.
Aurigny has also stepped up its services to Southampton – which it previously operated as a codeshare with Blue Islands.
Over the weekend, Nico Bezuidenhout, the Chief Executive Officer at Aurigny, confirmed its position.
“As the only airline truly dedicated to our local communities, Aurigny has moved immediately to introduce new services from Guernsey to Southampton and Jersey to meet the real needs of the market and prevent any further disruption.
“We have served the Channel Islands with pride since 1968 and are pleased to return to the essential airbridge route between Guernsey and Jersey.
“We have developed these interim schedules within eighteen hours of Blue Islands entering administration and will announce additional frequencies for Christmas and through the entire winter over the coming days.”
While the decision to make the inter-island route an essential one was made by ED, the licensing process will be managed by the States of Guernsey’s Transport Licensing Authority, in line with Guernsey’s legislation. Its President is Deputy John Gollop.
“Prior to the new arrangements coming into effect, any airline can fly the route without a licence,” ED confirmed.
ED said it decided to make the change because inter island travel has become very different to previous years, when it was not a protected route.
The President of the committee, Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller said there is also the potential for investment into the route, once it has been secured.
“Friday’s sudden collapse of Blue Islands was a shock to the Bailiwick. The Committee’s thoughts are very much with those who lost their jobs following this collapse, and sadness at the loss of a long-standing island brand.
“The collapse also caused significant uncertainty to Bailiwick and wider Channel Islands air services. The Committee met yesterday 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.
“This approach will support a long-term solution through a formal process, but will also enable travellers to make plans through the Christmas and New Year period – this is why we decided on the 15th January 2026 for implementation of the new arrangements.
“We know there are currently two airlines selling flights between Guernsey and Jersey, so are confident islanders will have access to flights on this route during this period.”
The licensing process is expected to open for applications shortly.