Isle Of Man Airport Experiences Promising Passenger Growth

by Robert Lee, Tax-News.com, London

16 July 2009

For the first time since August 2008, the Isle of Man's airport has recorded an increase in passenger figures. June 2009 saw a 2% increase, with almost 70,000 passengers passing through the Island’s Airport. At a time when UK regional airports continue to show substantial declines, the increase to Isle of Man’s airport has been met with cautious optimism by the airport’s director, Ann Reynolds.

“The increase is heartening news at a time when declines were to be expected” she said. "I believe that, whilst there is reason to be cautiously optimistic, there are key underlying reasons for the dramatic about-turn from a 12% decrease in May to a 2% increase in June.” Although welcoming an increase in passenger flows in comparison to 2008, she did attribute it in part to the Isle of Man TT motorbike event held annually in June.

Nevertheless, the overall trend would appear to show signs of a steady recovery in passenger traffic for the airport. The number of passengers from London-based terminals increased by some 386.2% year-on-year from just 1,282 passengers making the trip during June 2008, to 6,002 passengers in June 2009. This, Reynolds believes, is as a direct result of Aer Arann’s newly launched service flying from London City. Passenger figures on the route between the Isle of Man and Belfast increased by almost 50%, while the Blackpool route showed a 77% increase. These increases however were offset by reductions in traffic from destinations in the north of England.

“We are conscious that our airlines are continuing to have a tough time, not just from the Isle of Man, but throughout their route networks,” added Reynolds. “In order to encourage greater volumes of passengers, many operators have been reducing fares.”

“Lower fares, coupled with the Euro/Sterling exchange rate, [should mean that an] influx of visitors will travel to the Isle of Man this summer, many of whom might be coming to the Island for the first time.”

The Isle of Man has so far succeeded in sustaining all of its routes at a time when many airports are seeing destinations drastically cut. “It has been our strategic objective to do everything possible to make sure that the 20 destinations served by scheduled services from the Island are retained,” commented Minister of Transport David Anderson. Adding: “So far our airlines have continued to operate all of the routes in the face of extreme economic pressure, and we are very thankful for their continued support. Hopefully, the June passenger figures indicate the start of a recovery and an indication of better times to come.”

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