A COMPANY claimed it was planning to set up a new airline to serve the Isle of Man in May.

Ellan Vannin Airways said it was planning to "put the frill back into flying" and "bring honest air services back to the Isle of Man".

A statement from Ellan Vannin Airways claimed that flights would operate from the Island to "various UK, Irish and European destinations" from 2012.

The Indulgence Group – the company behind Ellan Vannin Airways – claimed it was moving into offices at Ronaldsway Airport and began using job sites to recruit cabin crew and pilots.

It also claimed that it would be operating a small fleet of aircraft including an Embraer 190, an Embraer 135 and a Jetstream 31.

However speculation around the company mounted when the Isle of Man's airport director Ann Reynolds revealed that nobody from the company had made contact with her regarding these plans before they were announced.

She confirmed that the man believed to be in charge of The Indulgence Group – Nate Johnson – had requested a meeting with her but no date was set.

The Indulgence Group also claimed it was planning to open a chocolate shop and nightclub in Douglas.

Update: No meeting ever took place between the airport director and Ellan Vannin Airways after it failed to finalise a date. Ellan Vannin Airways has not set up a new airline and the Indulgence Group has not opened a chocolate shop or nightclub in Douglas.

This story is part of isleofman.com's Review of the Year 2011.