With the recent news that BA CityFlyer have decided to temporarily reduce the number of daily flights on the Isle of Man to London City service with effect from September, the Departments of Infrastructure and Economic Development wish to reassure the travelling public over likely developments that will ensure the Isle of Man continues to have a good range of flights to London.
 
The two Departments are working together in discussions with the airlines over the London routes.  In summary, it is expected that from March 2014 BA CityFlyer will provide two return flights per weekday to London City while easyJet will provide two return flights per week day to Gatwick.  These flights will be on larger jet aircraft than the turboprop aircraft currently utilised by Flybe to Gatwick and BA CityFlyer to City.  As a result, good air links and capacity should be maintained.
 
BA CityFlyer have been operating the London City service for just over a year and currently operate the route by leasing a Saab 2000 aircraft (50 passengers) and crew from Eastern Airways. While passenger numbers are meeting their forecast expectations and are significantly higher than was previously achieved to London City, the average income per passenger is well below BA CityFlyer’s target levels at this stage.
 
With effect from 2 September, it is expected that BA CityFlyer will operate one midday flight, Sunday to Thursday, and a morning flight on Fridays and Saturdays, using one of their Embraer 170 jet aircraft from London City, which carries 76 passengers.
 
This will mean that there will be a minimum 6 flights on weekdays to London during the autumn and first quarter of 2014:
 
*   4 flights to Gatwick with Flybe
*   1 flight to Gatwick with easyJet
*   1 flight to London City with BA

In addition, on some week days there is also a seventh flight to London Luton with Flybe. At the weekend, there is one less Flybe flight to Gatwick each day.
 
While passenger numbers have grown significantly on both the London City and Gatwick routes, the lack of income per passenger on the London City route has meant that BA CityFlyer is hoping to lessen losses during the autumn and winter period by temporarily reducing  the number of services and by using one of their own jet aircraft on the route rather than incurring the leasing costs as per the present arrangements.
 
BA CityFlyer have already said that they will be looking to return to operating at least two flights on each weekday from the end of March 2014, using one of their Embraer jet aircraft. Although the aircraft will be based at London City, there will be one flight early in the morning and the other returning late allowing business travellers to achieve a good day’s work at both ends of the route. Timings have not been finalised yet.
 
At the same time, the Departments are in discussions with easyJet regarding a second flight into Gatwick from the end of March next year, when the Flybe slots are transferred to easyJet.   easyJet have already offered some timings on a second rotation each day, however they are looking to try to improve upon them.
 
Therefore for next summer, from the end of March, it is expected that there will be four jet flights per weekday to London (plus a Flybe Luton flight on some days), two flights to Gatwick and two flights to London City.
 
Minister for Infrastructure David Cretney MHK said:  "Naturally I am disappointed that the London City route is not doing as well as hoped, and I understand the complicated background to this, however I fully understand BA CityFlyer’s decision to reduce flights during the winter. I am encouraged that they are already developing plans for next spring and I am sure both residents and visitors will be pleased to see a jet on the route.
 
The Department is still waiting for finalised timings from easyJet regarding flights into Gatwick next year, however London City is vital for our business connections to London so we are working closely with the Department of Economic Development and BA CityFlyer regarding these flight changes. In addition, we are working together on trying to secure the start of a Glasgow service and I hope that there will be more news on this opportunity very shortly."
 
Minister for Economic Development John Shimmin MHK said:  "We appreciate that air links to London are vital to the Island and for the business community the link to London City at convenient times is key.  I share David’s disappointment about the reduced service to London City this winter, but we are confident that the plans we are discussing with both BA CityFlyer and easyJet will ensure the Isle of Man continues to have the air links to London we need with at least 4 flights every week day.  I am also keen to see a service to Scotland resumed shortly.  We are working with the airlines to finalise plans so that we can make further announcements to reassure the travelling public soon."
 
It is expected that BA CityFlyer will use the leased Eastern aircraft and crew on another route from the end of August, and it is hoped that the spring/summer 2014 schedule will be released in a few weeks time.
 
At the same time, both Departments are involved in discussions with an airline regarding starting a Glasgow route, operating one flight a day initially from the autumn, with the intention of moving to two flights per weekday from the end of March. Loganair stopped operating the service from the end of June.
 
Flybe have also confirmed this week that it is shortening the summer seasonal route to Southampton. .  This route does not operate in the winter, so Flybe’s decision is to bring forward the date when this route will end for this year, not to cease the route entirely.  The decision is disappointing, however it is only operating 3 days a week and passenger numbers have been low. Passengers will be offered a refund or routing through Manchester. Discussions are ongoing with Flybe regarding Southampton for summer 2014, when it will no longer operate on the Gatwick route, as there are many business passengers who route through Gatwick and onward to the south coast.
 
It is hoped to have confirmation of timings by the end of July.