EVIDENCE will be heard about the Isle of Man’s Open Skies Policy this week.
The Economic Committee, a Standing Committee of Tynwald, will be taking oral evidence on Wednesday, March 13, at 2.30pm in the Legislative Council Chamber, Legislative Buildings, Buck’s Road, Douglas.
First up will be Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK at 2.30pm followed by the government’s chief secretary Will Greenhow on ‘general issues’.
Afterwards the committee will hear evidence about the Open Skies policy from the Minister for Infrastructure David Cretney MHK and from the chief executive of the Department of Economic Development, Ian Thompson.
Mr Cretney is due to give his evidence at 3.30pm.
Mr Cretney and Mr Thompson will be followed by Economic Development Minister John Shimmin MHK and the chief executive of the Department of Economic Development, Chris Corlett.
Evidence is given in public and members of the public are welcome to attend.
A call was made in Tynwald last October by Speaker Steve Rodan for light
touch regulation in order to protect the island’s air services.
Mr Rodan asked for the economic policy review committee to examine whether the Open Skies policy – which allow airlines free access to fly routes to and from Ronaldsway – still serves the best interests of the Isle of Man.
He also argued that it should be for the Department of Economic Development to detemine the island’s civil aviation policy.
He suggested the Open Skies approach can allow an airline to take on an established route for just a few busy lucrative months, take the profits off that busy route and leave the existing all-year-round carrier in severe difficulties.