'Everyone's a bit numb' after airline collapse

Staff who had been employed by an airline which ceased trading on Friday have attended a government briefing.

Some of the government's employment, social security and housing staff were on hand to help advise former Blue Islands employees at the Union Street office on Monday.

Before the meeting former head of cabin crew Liam Paterson said he thought the crew members were "still a bit numb" after the news about Blue Islands.

"That's why everyone's here - to find out actually where everyone stands, you know, what they can claim, what they can't claim, and go from there," he added.

Mr Paterson said he had been on a round-trip to Exeter on Friday night when he learned that the airline had ceased trading and cancelled all flights.

"I think everyone's still a bit numb," he said.

"We just keep checking our rosters - 'are we meant to be at work tomorrow?' - but we're not, so it's strange, a very strange feeling."

Mr Paterson said that he was "lucky" because he had the right to live and work in Jersey but some of his colleagues required licences to work for Blue Islands.

"We don't really have much information so hopefully this will shed some light for us," he added.

Dag Nichum, who had been a captain for Blue Islands, also attended the government briefing.

He said it had been a good meeting after an "unsettling" weekend and the airline ceasing trading had been a shock which none of the team had seen coming.

He said he would continue to fly as a career and he said he thought the future was "bright" for all of his former colleagues.

One of the passengers on the first Loganair flight from Southampton to Jersey on Monday was an ex-employee of Blue Islands.

James Bayliss-de Gruchy said he had left the airline three weeks ago after having been employed for three years.

"It's just tough for everyone," he said.

"The first the staff heard was on the news. It's shocking.

"Obviously it's upsetting for the passengers who have been stranded but you have to think about all the staff as well - the pilots, cabin crew, all the guys that work in the offices both here and in Guernsey."

He said he had really enjoyed being part of the Blue Islands team.

"I loved every single second," he said.

"It is one big family so seeing them go through this is hard.

"Hopefully wherever they [the employees] end up they will find a new family."

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