Manx2.com is set to bring the Manx message to Wales with the announcement of plans to operate flights between Cardiff and Anglesey.

The company, which is based in the Isle of Man along with its partner carrier FLM Aviation, has been awarded the contract by the Welsh Assembly Government to operate flights twice daily between Cardiff and Anglesey for the next seven months.

The service commences on Monday 10 May, with seats on sale from today (Friday April 30th) via Manx2.com’s website.  Fares will start from ?39 single.

Manx2's Operations Director Dylan Evans said, “Ever since leaving Wales eight-years-ago in search of my first job in aviation, it's been my ambition to return and bring better air services to Wales. Having been born and grown up in Cardigan, with Welsh as my first language, I fully understand the need for better connectivity within Wales, and our team at Manx2.com will do everything they can to ensure this service is a great success. Manx2.com is an award-winning Celtic company and our passengers can rest assured that my red dragon heritage will be there on every flight."

Chairman Noel Hayes added, "As a Celtic neighbour, Manx2.com is delighted to have been chosen to reconnect Cardiff and Anglesey. With our home base just 50 miles away across the Irish Sea, we're excited about the prospect of taking our award-winning Manx service and our record of reliability and punctuality to this essential community route.”

Deputy First Minister Leuan Wyn Jones said, "I am pleased to announce that Manx2 will be running the north - south air link from 10 May.  This is a vital service which helps to secure economic, social and political cohesion in Wales, as well as supporting economic development in north-west Wales. I made a commitment that the Assembly Government would take action to maintain this service and we have now achieved this.”

The news of this launch is the second announcement Manx2.com has made in a matter of weeks regarding its expansion plans outside of the Isle of Man. The company recently introduced flights between Cork and Galway in Ireland. The growth plans are seen as a huge boost for business, tourism and leisure throughout the Celtic countries.

Services will leave Cardiff Airport every morning at 0730, returning from Anglesey Valley at 0855 and arriving into Cardiff at 1000. Monday to Thursday afternoon flights leave Cardiff at 1615, returning at 1740. Friday afternoon services will run an hour earlier, departing 1515 and returning at 1640.

Manx2.com employs 60 staff and has a fleet of seven aircraft providing up to 30 flights a day to the Isle of Man. Its customer services, reservations and operations departments are all based in the new hangar facility at Ronaldsway Airport.

Manx2.com carries 100,000 passengers a year between the Isle of Man and Blackpool, Belfast, Leeds Bradford, East Midlands, Newcastle, Gloucester and Jersey. It has recently been voted the Island’s best small company for the second time in three years at the annual IOM Newspapers Excellence Awards.

•  For those who can understand the Welsh language, this is what Mr Evans said, "Ers gadael Cymru tua wyth mlynedd yn ol er mwyn dechrau swydd newydd mewn busnes awyrennau yr oedd yn uchelgais i fi i ddychwelyd nol rhyw ddydd gyda gwasanaeth taith newydd. Cefais i fagu yn Aberteifi, Ceredigion, a siarad Cymraeg fel iath cyntaf, roeddwn yn ddeall fod angen gwasanaeth well i deithio tu fewn i Gymru. Gallwch sicrhau fe fydd y tim yn Manx2.com yn wneud popeth er mwyn cadarhau gwasanaeth llwyddianis iawn pob tro. Mae Manx2.com yn cwmni celtaidd deiniol a gwobrwyol iawn, a rwy’n siwr fe fydd etifeddiaeth y ddraig goch yn yr awyr i’r teithwyr ar pob achlysur."