Manx pressure group TravelWatch says the loss of the Blackpool Airport service will have a negative impact on business travellers from the north west and north east as well as residents and visitors.

The airport is set to close next week as a buyer has not been found.

TravelWatch says it regrets the loss of another travel opportunity in a year that has seen several air routes closed and capacity to the south east drastically cut back, adding: 'The closure of Blackpool airport from 15th October is therefore bad news for the Island. Last year nearly 19,000 passengers used the route - which first operated in 1927 - making it CityWing’s second most important route after
Belfast.'

Citywing has suspended its Blackpool service for four weeks and is in discussions with the airport.

TravelWatch's Terry Liddiard said: 'Whilst the route is suspended we would expect that much of this traffic will most naturally switch to Manchester, where, with Flybe’s high frequency of five flights a day, there should be no difficulty in accommodating them at most times.'


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