The agreement between Manx2.com and the government will see the company completely refurbish one of the former British Airways hangars on a 5,000 square foot site at the airport, which, once complete, will provide hangar space for the company’s growing fleet, in addition to an engineering base with offices.

Manx2.com believes the new development will make it more convenient for the firm to maintain its aircraft, and so minimise the possibility of delays to the schedule caused by technical problems. The company intends to turn it into a centre of excellence for turboprop aircraft maintenance, which will be important in keeping key engineering skills in the island.

The development has been welcomed by David Cretney, Minister for Trade and Industry in the Manx government, who has said such a facility at the hangar complex will provide opportunities for locally based staff.

“We have had limited office space in the terminal building at the airport for the last eighteen months, but it is now time for us to expand,” commented Manx2.com communications director James Filleul. “We are taking a long lease on this site so that we can refurbish the hangar to our own specification which will include both an engineering base, and our company headquarters. It is a sign of Manx2.com’s success to date, and of our long term commitment to Isle of Man air routes”.

“This is a major commitment to the Isle of Man, and one we are delighted to be making. We have great faith in where the Island is going and are looking forward to playing our part in its success. When we started the business, some people thought it would never work – eighteen months later we have launched seven successful routes, booked ninety thousand passengers, won the Small Sized Organisation of the Year award and are setting up a new engineering base," Filleul added.

Manx2.com operators use nineteen seat aircraft on routes between the Isle of Man, Leeds Bradford, Belfast, Gloucester (M5), Nottingham East Midlands, Jersey and Blackpool.