Following the lifting of airspace restrictions over UK airspace at 10pm last night (Tuesday 20th April), Manx2.com recommenced full operations at 7.20am this morning with its scheduled Blackpool departure.
Since the restrictions on flying over much of the UK were imposed last Thursday, Manx2.com has maintained the Island’s essential airlinks, flying a total of 77 flights between the Isle of Man and the two adjacent Islands, with at least two flights a day to Belfast and a high frequency shuttle service to Blackpool.
The UK CAA has imposed new restrictions on operating into potential ash cloud areas but Chairman of Manx2.com, Noel Hayes, explains that Manx2.com is already meeting the new CAA requirements:
"When the shutters came down on Sunday and prevented all flying from the Isle of Man, we realised we had to do something to keep lifeline airlinks open for the Island.
"So, in consultation with Brian Johnson and Hartley Elder at the IOM CAA, we put in place a protocol to enable low level flights to continue safely.
"This involved us conducting detailed risk assessments before flight, an enhanced maintenance and check programme on our aircraft and a strict reporting procedure.
"I’m reassured that nearly 72 hours after we implemented this procedure at Manx2.com.com, the UK CAA has required all UK airlines to do the same.
"I’m also pleased to report that having conducted 77 flights since the ash threat started, our detailed checks and examinations, including borescope engine inspections, have shown no evidence of any low-level ash contamination in our operational area around the Island.
"We will be passing all our findings to NATS and the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre to help their future analysis of the situation.
"I’d like to particularly thank our airport partners at Ronaldsway, Blackpool and Belfast who remained open for our flights over the last five days; the IOM CAA for their 24/7 help and advice; and my team at Manx2.com, who have been working incredibly hard to maintain connectivity with England and Ireland.
"I’m sure over the coming months many lessons will be learnt from the enormous disruption of the last five days.
"I hope that amongst that analysis, the Isle of Man Government will stop and reassess whether its ‘open skies’ competition policy is the best way to protect its lifeline airlinks to deal with such occurrences in the future."
The latest Manx2.com flight updates can be found on their new twitter feed at www.Manx2.com
