A crucial air link between the Isle of Man and London is launched this morning.

Aer Arran will fly three times daily from the Island to London City, restoring a service which was lost when EuroManx collapsed last year.

Aer Arran Chief Executive Officer Paul Shultz will join Transport Minister David Anderson and his DTI counterpart David Cretney at Ronaldsway this morning, to give the new service a champagne send-off.

They will then board the first flight, due to leave at 8.25am.

Marian Kenny has more (text, below, from attached audio file):

There was dismay in government and business circles at the loss of the London City service last May.

The demise of EuroManx left only one daily flight to the UK capital, operated by VLM.

The restoration of three flights a day on weekdays - announced in the autumn - was hailed a massive boost for the Island's finance sector in a difficult economic climate. The times allow a full business day in the city and could also promote more leisure traffic.

Certification for the airline's ATR 72-500 aircraft is expected by the end of January. Until then the route will be operated using ATR 42s.

(Picture: An Aer Arran ATR 42 aircraft).