THE start of 2012 has seen mixed news for Isle of Man Airport.
There has been a passenger increase of 1.3 per cent over January last year (600 passengers) - however it is not as high as airport bosses would have liked.
A statement from the airport said: "This rather flat passenger performance underlines the difficult time that airlines continue to have throughout the UK and Europe.
"The anticipation for a solid recovery for the domestic and European air travel market has been dashed in recent months by the tough economic environment throughout much of Europe.
"During the last quarter of 2011, almost half the UK airports recorded a reduction in domestic traffic at a time when, just a year ago, promising growth was forecast.
"The Isle of Man Airport, however, generated five per cent growth during the quarter.
"January is always a particularly challenging month for airlines and airports and for the Isle of Man air services the seasonal nature of tourism emphasises the difficulty with filling aircraft seats."
Airport director Ann Reynolds explained many airlines had trimmed their Isle of Man schedules for January and February to match the slump in demand.
She said: "Given the cutbacks we have had for this winter period, I am pleased to see an actual increase in traffic for the month, albeit small.
"However, many of our routes have recorded a reduction in passengers and the less busy, or 'thinner', routes have experienced a pretty lean time.
"As a result there has been some mixed news for our route network during January.
"The Flybe routes to Southampton and Bristol averaged less than a quarter full during January, following some disappointing months with relatively low passenger loads and Flybe have decided to close Southampton from the end of February.
"On the positive side we are delighted to confirm that from May Manx2.com will commence a daily schedule to London Oxford Airport and Flybe partner airline Loganair will fly a weekly service throughout the summer to Norwich."
The new Oxford route will provide a useful alternative for many passengers currently flying to Southampton as London Oxford Airport is situated close to the A34 providing a fast direct route to the Southampton area, just an hour away.
The M40 is also close by giving easy access to Heathrow and West London.
The summer flights to Norwich will also open up a part of the UK which has not been easily accessible from the Island.
Routes to the South and South West of England generated a large proportion of the additional Island traffic during January and the Bristol and Southampton routes contributed 1,260 additional passengers.
It is expected that much of this extra traffic will transfer to other departure points such as Oxford and Gatwick in the future.
The North West was again buoyant with Liverpool recording an increase of almost 14 per cent.
Departmental Member for Ports David Callister MLC was disappointed to learn of the withdrawal of the Southampton service but warmly welcomed the development of the new Oxford and Norwich links.
He said: "I am very encouraged by the steps that both Manx2.com and Loganair have taken to grasp the opportunity to fill two vital gaps in our air service network.
"Loganair, working with Flybe, have demonstrated for years their reliability and commitment with their flights between the Island and both Glasgow and Edinburgh and I am sure that they will do well with Norwich.
"Manx2.com have shown how they can be highly successful operating frequent flights to convenient, niche market airports such as Gloucester and the route to Oxford will take off equally well.
"I wish them both every success."
