Flybe has dismissed easyJet’s announcement of a Liverpool to Isle of Man service as ‘flash in the pan’ competition.

The airline, which operates a four-times-per-day service between the two destinations, said it ‘welcomed competition – no matter how infrequent the flights – on any of its established routes’, and cited easyJet’s previous attempt to compete on the Jersey to Luton service in 2008 that lasted just ten months.

Commenting on the easyJet announcement, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer Mike Rutter said: “Flybe welcomes the competition from easyJet on the Liverpool route because it will enable passengers to compare Flybe’s award-winning service with the very different business model that easyJet operate. Flybe will continue to offer a Liverpool service four times a day, from 0710 in the morning to 1855 at night, compared to easyJet’s irregular middle of the day schedule. Passengers will also find the ‘excitement’ of the easyJet scrum to get a seat on-board will soon wear thin when compared with Flybe’s guaranteed seat allocation.”

“easyJet’s schedule is no substitute for a regular, reliable service and looking at past performance, will probably last for a maximum of six months before their planners decide to move the aircraft onto a different destination. Flybe on the other hand are in the Isle of Man for the long-term and we’re confident our services will outlast any easyJet short-term dalliance.”

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