THE director of Ronaldsway Airport has said she has "no further information" in relation to Ellan Vannin Airways.
Last week it was revealed that The Indulgence Group – a company who appear to specialise in nightclubs and chocolate – were planning to launch a new airline which would "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 also claimed on its website that the company would be moving its offices to Ronaldsway Airport which would create 100 new jobs.
However speculation around the company mounted when airport director Ann Reynolds revealed that nobody from the company had made contact with her regarding these plans before they were announced.
Ms Reynolds has now confirmed that Nate Johnson, the man believed to be behind The Indulgence Group, has now e-mailed her requesting a meeting.
She said: "I have now received an email from a Mr Johnson with an Ellan Vannin Airways email address, apologising for not having contacted me sooner, and looking for a meeting over the next couple of weeks.
"However I still have no further information regarding Ellan Vannin Airways in terms of contact details, address, company information etc. and nothing has been firmed up yet."
isleofman.com asked Ms Reynolds what sort of information she would need from someone who wants to start a new airline.
She said: "The sort of information I personally would like information on, prior to a route or service starting is:
• Who is the company? – The make up of company (i.e. part of a group) Who are the shareholders? Who are the key personnel?
• How long the company has been established and the company registration details
• What type of company it is? E.g. is it an airline, tour operator, travel agent, ticket provider
• How many staff are employed?
• If it is an airline, where is their Airline Operators Certificate (AOC) registered?
• What is the expectation for the route/s in terms of passenger numbers?
• What aircraft is going to be used?
"In addition to the above information, generally I do background searches if it is a new company or one I am not familiar with. For example if it is an operator I'm not familiar with I'd like to see what other services the airline carries out and where? If possible I'd speak to the airport director at an airport where the airline currently operates.
"Technically we cannot turn away anyone who wishes to land at the Isle of Man. However there is much to plan and arrange in advance for a scheduled or charter passenger service in order to put procedures in place to get passengers to aircraft.
"So in essence there's a lot to do prior to the first flight."
Ellan Vannin Airways claims it will operate a small fleet of aircraft including an Embraer 190, an Embraer 135 and a Jetstream 31. The Total Jobs website is already carrying job advertisements for cabin crew.
The Indulgence Group also revealed on its website that it has plans to open a nightclub in and a chocolate shop in Douglas.
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