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The number of people using Ronaldsway Airport in October fell by around one per cent compared to the same month last year.
Figures from the Department of Infrastructure show last month defied a run of six months when passenger numbers had been rising.
A total of 63,093 people passed through Ronaldsway in October, a fall of 575 on the 2010 tally.
Airport director Ann Reynolds says she is disappointed with the data, but remains optimistic for the future.
Ms Reynolds says the United Kingdom economy drives air travel to and from the Island and, despite its gloomy position, the fall in passenger numbers has been very slight over the last year.
Winners in October included charter flights, up 39 per cent, the Liverpool route which grew by ten per cent, and general freight, which rose by 66 per cent.
Bristol, Leeds and Luton were the big fallers, each dropping 20 per cent compared to October last year.
Ms Reynolds says this winter looks likely to be another tough one for airlines operating from the Isle of Man because the UK economy shows little sign of recovery.
However, she adds that so far there has been no talk of any routes being dropped.
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