ISLE of Man airspace shut down in April after a volcanic ash eruption in Iceland.

Airspace above the Island was closed meaning almost all flights were cancelled or delayed and travelers were left stranded both in the Island and in the UK.
 
Flights were cancelled after fears that particles in the ash cloud would cause airplane engines to shut down.

Manx2.com was able to run a shuttle service between the Isle of Man and Blackpool in a bid to try and keep the Island's links open. It was also able to fly to Belfast as the planes can fly in lower airspace.

Chairman Noel Hayes said: "At Manx2.com we have a reputation for going the extra mile to get our passengers home safely. We are operating operate a high frequency shuttle service between the Island and Blackpool Airport along with our normal services to Belfast.

"We realise that our plans depend upon many factors outside our control but we believe our customers will appreciate the efforts we are making to get them home safely if at all possible."

Around 100 of the Island's 800 teaching staff were stranded after the Easter Holidays and the Department of Education was forced to shut down part of Ballakermeen High School after 17 of the school's teachers couldn't make it back in time for term.

The Steam Packet saw a surge in demand for sailings and reported that passenger numbers almost doubled on some sailings.

Chief executive Mark Woodward said: "I am pleased the Steam Packet Company is continuing to assist many people with alternative travel arrangements. Both Manannan and the Ben-my-Chree have accommodated much greater numbers of passengers than originally expected."

Comedian Dara O'Brien who had performed in the Island was forced to travel on the Manannan to get back to the UK after his flight was cancelled.