Tomorrow’s Tynwald agenda has been changed so members can express their concerns about airline Flybe’s cuts.
President of Tynwald Clare Christian has agreed that a question about the matter is urgent and of public importance.
She has directed that the question paper can be changed.
The first question in the sitting of Tynwald Court which begins tomorrow at 10.30am will now be about the issue.
Bill Henderson, MHK for Douglas North, is to ask the Chief Minister if he will make a statement on the position of Flybe services to the Isle of Man.
He will ask: ‘What effects the withdrawal of Flybe from the Isle of Man will have on the island and on Flybe’s Isle of Man based staff; and what steps the government is taking as a consequence?’
As we {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/flybe-announce-closure-of-isle-of-man-base-1-6247573|reported last week,} Flybe plans to make 49 people in the Isle of Man redundant when it closes its base at Ronaldsway.
The airline is not planning to stop flying to and from the island and says passengers can continue to book flights with confidence.
The differnce would be that all its aircraft and staff would be based off the island.
Currently three aircraft are based at Ronaldsway. One aircraft was going to leave at the end of the March when Flybe stops operating the Gatwick route.
Minister of Infrastructure David Cretney MHK said: ‘Some of the Flybe staff have worked from Ronaldsway for many years. I very much hope that Flybe does all that it can to assist its staff. My department will work with Flybe and our colleagues in the Department of Economic Development who are still skilled in helping individuals find alternative employment in the island.’
Director of ports Ann Reynolds said: ‘There have been no details regarding route stoppages or reductions, either for the Isle of Man or for other airports and we are waiting to hear exactly what services may be rationalised.
‘We shall wait to hear from Flybe what effect their strategic review will have on the island, and if appropriate, the department will work hard to find an alternative carrier on any route that faces closure.’
