OCTOBER'S airport figures are the first in six months to show a decrease in the number of people travelling through Ronaldsway Airport.
A total of 63,093 passengers travelled during the month - 575 less compared to October 2010 - which represents a decrease of 0.9 per cent.
Airport director Ann Reynolds explained: "A year ago when we were predicting the passenger throughput for 2011 it was impossible for us to foresee the flat nature of the UK economy throughout this year - and it is this that predominantly drives air travel to and from the Isle of Man.
"The result has been that throughout most of 2011 our traffic has been about five per cent below than expected but the most recent months have seen slight, but consistent, improvements.
"Thus, despite the slight decrease, I am very pleased that the October traffic has reached the level where it precisely matched our original predictions - however I know that the airlines were also hoping for more passengers."
Both of Aer Arann's routes – to London City and to Dublin – suffered compared to October last year. 132 fewer passengers flew on the London City route and 375 fewer passengers travelled to and from Dublin.
Flybe's Manchester route was also affected recording a drop of 693 passengers. The Bristol route was down 221 passengers and the Gatwick route 776 passengers.
However the Flybe and easyJet routes to Liverpool performed well during October with 15,845 passengers travelling. This is up 9.6 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Manx2.com also showed positive figures for the month with the Blackpool, Belfast and Gloucester routes showing an increase in the number of passengers travelling.
During the month each of Manx2.com's five flight routes operated at more than 60 per cent full.
The Blue Islands service to Jersey and Guernsey also showed a 3.8 per cent increase with 378 passengers travelling on these routes.
Ann continued: "Looking ahead we recognise that this winter will be another tough one for our airlines as the UK economy shows little sign of recovery.
"We have already received notification of some cutbacks in schedules over the winter period but I'm delighted to say that all of our routes have remained intact including the Flybe Southampton/Brussels link which is now operating over the winter season for the first time.
"This service, not only providing daily flights to the heart of Southern England but a direct link through to the European capital, is an important part of our network and we hope that it will be well supported throughout the winter."
David Collister MLC, political member with responsibility for Ports, said "I am in no doubt about the fundamental importance of creating and retaining the best possible network of air services for the Island.
"Direct air services are the very lifeblood of our economy, and in particular our tourism industry, and I am delighted that our airlines have continued to support and maintain the Island’s routes throughout the recent difficult few years.
"We will be working with them over the coming months and years to support and hopefully expand our 19 scheduled service routes."
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