There will be two flights to London City Airport a day from the Isle of Man from March 2014, the government this afternoon confirmed after representatives held talks with airline BA CityFlyer.
On Monday, the Isle of Man Examiner revealed that BA CityFlyer had decided to cut the number of daily flights on the Isle of Man to London City service to one a day, with effect from September.
Officials from the Department of Economic Development and Department of Infrastructure have been working together in discussions with the airlines over the London routes.
A spokesman said: ‘In summary, it is expected that from March 2014 BA CityFlyer will provide two return flights per weekday to London City while easyJet will provide two return flights per week day to Gatwick.
‘These flights will be on larger jet aircraft than the turboprop aircraft currently utilised by Flybe to Gatwick and BA CityFlyer to City. As a result, good air links and capacity should be maintained.’
BA CityFlyer have been operating the London City service for just over a year and currently operates the route by leasing a Saab 2000 aircraft (50 passengers) and crew from Eastern Airways.
While passenger numbers are meeting their forecast expectations and are significantly higher than was previously achieved to London City, the average income per passenger is well below BA CityFlyer’s target levels at this stage.
From September 2, it is expected that BA CityFlyer will operate one midday flight, Sunday to Thursday, and a morning flight on Fridays and Saturdays, using one of their Embraer 170 jet aircraft from London City, which carries 76 passengers.
The government says that there will be a minimum of six flights a day on weekdays to London during the autumn and the beginning of 2014.
These are the four Flybe flights to Gatwick, one easyJet flight to Gatwick and one BA London City flight.
In addition, on some week days there is also a seventh flight to London Luton with Flybe. At the weekend, there is one fewer Flybe flight to Gatwick each day.
The departments are in discussions with easyJet regarding a second flight into Gatwick from the end of March next year, when the Flybe slots are transferred to easyJet. EasyJet have already offered some timings on a second rotation each day, however they are looking to try to improve upon them.
A government spokesman said: ‘For for next summer, from the end of March, it is expected that there will be four jet flights per weekday to London (plus a Flybe Luton flight on some days), two flights to Gatwick and two flights to London City.’
Minister for Infrastructure David Cretney MHK said: ‘Naturally I am disappointed that the London City route is not doing as well as hoped, and I understand the complicated background to this, however I fully understand BA CityFlyer’s decision to reduce flights during the winter. I am encouraged that they are already developing plans for next spring and I am sure both residents and visitors will be pleased to see a jet on the route.
‘The department is still waiting for finalised timings from easyJet regarding flights into Gatwick next year, however London City is vital for our business connections to London so we are working closely with the Department of Economic Development and BA CityFlyer regarding these flight changes. In addition, we are working together on trying to secure the start of a Glasgow service and I hope that there will be more news on this opportunity very shortly.’
Minister for Economic Development John Shimmin MHK said: ‘We appreciate that air links to London are vital to the island and for the business community the link to London City at convenient times is key.
‘I share David’s disappointment about the reduced service to London City this winter, but we are confident that the plans we are discussing with both BA CityFlyer and easyJet will ensure the Isle of Man continues to have the air links to London we need with at least four flights every week day. I am also keen to see a service to Scotland resumed shortly. We are working with the airlines to finalise plans so that we can make further announcements to reassure the travelling public soon.’
It is expected that BA CityFlyer will use the leased Eastern aircraft and crew on another route from the end of August, and it is hoped that the spring/summer 2014 schedule will be released in a few weeks’ time.
At the same time, both departments are involved in discussions with an airline regarding starting a Glasgow route, operating one flight a day initially from the autumn, with the intention of moving to two flights per weekday from the end of March. Loganair stopped operating the service from the end of June.
Flybe has also confirmed this week that it is shortening the summer seasonal route to Southampton.
This route does not operate in the winter, so Flybe’s decision is to bring forward the date when this route will end for this year, not to cease the route entirely.
The government spokesman said: ‘The decision is disappointing, however it is only operating three days a week and passenger numbers have been low.
‘Passengers will be offered a refund or routing through Manchester. Discussions are ongoing with Flybe regarding Southampton for summer 2014, when it will no longer operate on the Gatwick route, as there are many business passengers who route through Gatwick and onward to the south coast.’
The government hopes to have confirmation of timings by the end of July.