Today marks 40 years since launch of Manx Airlines
The new airport director has told Manx Radio it’s impossible to 'control airlines'.
Gary Cobb says it is they – and not government – which make the decisions about flying to and from the Isle of Man.
On Friday Flybe abruptly withdrew a new winter schedule that offered Manx routes to Belfast City and London Heathrow.
Mr Cobb says persuasion is the only way forward:
Today marks 40 years since Manx Airlines was founded and 20 since the airline was bought out by British Airways.
The Isle of Man’s national carrier operated for two decades carrying more than one million passengers.
Since then, the debate over the best way forward for the Island’s air routes has continued uninterrupted with the ‘Open Skies’ policy a subject continually under discussion.
Speaking in 1986, Manx Airlines general manager Terry Liddiard, claimed much of their success was down to being local:
Meanwhile the pilot, who flew the last ever Manx Airlines flight, says he was very proud to work for the airline.
Paul Quine says local identity was immensely important to the whole operation:
Manx Radio's John Moss has been considering whether the Isle of Man could see the return of a national carrier - you can listen to his full report here:
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