The Isle of Man will lose direct flight links to Scotland next month – in a move that will come as a further blow to air passengers.
Loganair has confirmed it is withdrawing direct services between Ronaldsway and both Glasgow and Edinburgh from June 30.
It said its single daily services on both routes had become ‘unsustainable’ – and blamed rising operational costs and falling demand.
The news comes within days of Flybe, Loganair’s franchise partner, confirming its four times daily service to Gatwick will end in March next year after it sold its landing slots at the London terminal to budget airline easyJet for £20 million.
But Infrastructure Minister David Cretney MHK described the timing of the Loganair announcement as ‘coincidental’.
He said the airport was in discussion with other airlines to see if the route could be picked by another operator.
A spokesman for Loganair said: ‘Due to increasing operational costs and falling demand, it is with great regret we have taken the decision to withdraw direct services to Isle of Man Airport from Glasgow and Edinburgh.
‘We will continue to operate the two routes until Sunday, June 30.
‘Customers who have made bookings on these services after this date will be offered alternative travel options via Manchester through our franchise partner Flybe at no extra cost.
Alternatively, customers will receive a refund via the travel agent or airline where the original reservation was made.’
Loganair services to Glasgow and Edinburgh have operated since 2004.
The spokesman said: ‘The reality is declining passenger numbers have led to the Glasgow and Edinburgh routes becoming unsustainable.
‘This is very disappointing news for everyone concerned and would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincere apologies to our valued customers for any inconvenience these changes may cause.’
Mr Cretney said: ‘It will be a great shame to see Loganair pull off our Scottish routes,
‘The department is in discussion with a number of other airlines to see if either or both the Scottish routes can be picked up by another operator, although it is not likely that another operator will have any aircraft availability this summer from July when Loganair stops.’
Loganair’s direct service from Norwich to the Isle of Man will continue.
Flybe’s announcement last week that it had sold its Gatwick slots has been viewed with dismay by many in the island.
