For the past week the Isle of Man LinkedIn Group of more than 2,000 Isle of Man business people has been running a poll of members to discover the impact of the recent degradations in air links to the island.
Some 150 members have responded to the poll, which asked what effect the recent reductions in air links to London, Scotland and Southampton would have on them and their businesses.
l 11 per cent said the changes would have ‘little or no effect’ on them or their businesses
l 54 per cent answered that the changes would ‘inconvenience them and / or raise costs’
l 32 per cent expressed the view that the reduction in air links would ‘seriously harm or restrict them or their businesses’
l three per cent responded that the changes would ‘make them consider leaving the Isle of Man’.
Steve Burrows, administrator of the group, said: ‘These responses are significantly worse than expected, over a third of respondents expect the reduction in air links to seriously harm or restrict their business, a few to the extent that they are considering leaving the island, which by any measure is a matter for grave concern both in business and government.
‘The results of the poll provide strong backing to the recent comments of SMP Partners chairman Steve McGowan when he labelled the changes to the London City schedule as ‘a disaster for Isle of Man residents and businesses.’
The poll opened on Sunday July 7, so the very negative responses received would seem to show that the statement issued by the government on July 4 has failed to provide adequate reassurance to the island’s business community.
Several respondents took the opportunity to comment on the poll to further express their concerns.
Their thoughts included the following remarks:
l ‘The island needs good communication with London or it will become an irrelevance in a globalising market.’
l ‘The loss of the LCY (London City) and eventually LGW (Gatwick) morning and evening flights will make a difficult intercontinental journey more complicated.’
l ‘The main really serious problem is the timings. I can visualise for a three hour meeting say 1 until 4 on a Tuesday in central London requiring flying out on a Monday and back on a Wednesday, i.e. two overnights etc. that is unsustainable!!’
l ‘My understanding is that no-one is looking at the overall picture. I would expect some body at national level to be setting some kind of minimum framework for air services to and from the island. This is the 21st century and we can no longer rely on boats, yet communications with elsewhere are essential for a variety of reasons. At minimum there has to be regular reliable air connections to major cities in England, Ireland and Scotland that IoM has economic and social ties with (not ones that the air operators find convenient).’
And this came from an e-gaming executive currently based overseas: ‘Given I’m part of a team thinking about relocating to the IoM, this is concerning. Knowing that the links to London are being affected does weigh in on our thinking and planning, that is for sure.’
The poll is still running and can be found in the Isle of Man Group on LinkedIn.