The credit crunch, rising fuel prices and the recent collapse of Euromanx appears to have had little affect on passenger numbers at the Isle of Man Airport.

Figures just released show that the airport handled more than 67,000 passengers in July, an increase of just 0.6% on July 2007. However, when comparing passenger numbers for the first seven months of 2008 with 2007, the airport reports an increase of 3.6%.

Although passenger numbers are holding up well, the collapse of Euromanx in May has led to a reduction of nearly 80% of passengers travelling to London City Airport. However passengers flying to Manchester Airport were up 9.3% and passengers travelling to Blackpool Airport increased by 10.5%.

Flybe, which now carries more than 70% of the Island’s air traffic, had a good month, with the Luton airport route having more than two-thirds of the seats filled and Gatwick three-quarters full. Its Birmingham airport, Liverpool airport, Manchester airport and Southampton flights were also well booked, with over 60% of seats occupied.

Ann Reynolds, Airport Director of Isle of Man Airport, was generally pleased with the July results. “We were predicting a 1.5% decrease in passengers for July and it is reassuring that we have managed to exceed the July 2007 total,” she said.

“I believe that this indicates that the Isle of Man is able to sustain a strong and robust air passenger market, despite the UK and global downturn in air traffic. It is also comforting to see that the important North West market is slightly up and, although the loss of EuroManx on the London City route has hit us hard, London traffic is about the same as July 2007 with the success of the Luton service.

“Concerted efforts continue to be made by the Airport to restore the important morning and evening return flights to London City. VLM is maintaining its schedule on the route, but an Isle of Man day return facility to the City Airport is badly missed. We are in no doubt about the economic importance of an Isle of Man originating London City route to the business community. Whilst there is firm interest from airlines to operate this route, there are a number of real difficulties to be overcome, including the availability of the key slots needed at London City. We are in close liaison with the business community, interested airlines and London City Airport in our effort to reinstate these valuable flights.”

Manx2.com is offering Euromanx passengers who had already booked to fly to Belfast a free return ticket to make sure they aren’t stranded following news that Euromanx has ceased trading.

Manx2.com already offers frequent flights between the Isle of Man and both Belfast Airports (City and International).

All passengers with an existing (one made before 9th May 2008) Euromanx booking between the Isle of Man and Belfast, which hasn’t yet been used, are asked to send an e-mail with all the details to Belfast@manx2.com, or write to Manx2 reservations at Isle of Man Airport. Reservations staff will then process those requests and allocate the customers a seat on the nearest available Belfast flight, free of charge. That flight may be to either Belfast Airport. Passengers must be able to supply the relevant Euromanx booking confirmation reference to prove their booking is current.

“We are doing this to make sure that anyone who has booked with Euromanx to Belfast isn’t left stranded”, says Manx2.com’s communications director James Filleul. “All they have to do is contact us via e-mail or letter, and we will rebook them on the nearest available Belfast flight free of charge”.

“We already provide very frequent Belfast services, and we will continue to make sure that route is very well served from the Isle of Man, despite the news that Euromanx are to cease trading”.

EuroManx has ceased trading and cancelled all flights.

The airline, which has been operating for the past five years, blames rising fuel prices and reduced passenger numbers.

Alternative arrangements have been made, and Flybe will carry all ticketed EuroManx passengers to Liverpool, Manchester, London Luton and Gatwick where seats are available.

EuroManx passengers to Belfast will be advised in due course.

The Isle of Man Airport saw a huge increase in passenger numbers last month.

Figures just released by the airport show that passenger numbers increased by 12.6% in February compared with February 2007. Increases were seen on routes to Liverpool airport, Manchester airport and Blackpool airport; flights to and from Manchester airport saw an increase of 27%.

The reinstatement of Luton flights and an increase in flights to Gatwick also assisted in the increased numbers.

Manx2.com is to add extra flights between the Isle of Man and Gloucester (M5) and Belfast.

Gloucester will have an additional flight added on Thursdays, and Isle of Man, Belfast flights will increase to 70 per week to cope with the increased demand.

“Belfast has so much to offer from shopping and nightlife to sightseeing and exploring the surrounding countryside, and we have grown the route substantially in the last year. Our summer timetable in 2008 has 20% more flights on it than the 2007 version, which is a real sign of how successful that route has been” said Manx2.com’s communications director James Filleul.

Manx2.com now offers flights between the Isle of Man and Blackpool airport, Belfast International airport, Belfast City airport, Leeds airport, Gloucester (M5), Jersey and, from 3 March, Nottingham East Midlands airport.

Passenger numbers at Ronaldsway airport showed an increase this June on last June, with two thirds of the Isle of Man’s routes showing an increase.

The main area of increase was the Isle of Man to Gatwick flights, operated by Flybe, which increased by 29% in June. London City flights were also up on last year.

Services to Southampton airport, Blackpool flights, Leeds airport and Belfast flights also saw significant increases.

Ann Reynolds, airport director, said, ‘ The centenary TT has helped boost passenger traffic in June, but the underlying trend is very reassuring’.

The airport is expected to see a further increase in numbers with the reinstatement of the Isle of Man to Luton flights in October.