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Manannan will not be brought into service early

Ashford rules out possibility despite public pressure

The health minister has ruled out the possibility of the Manannan fast craft being brought back into service early.

David Ashford was speaking about contingency plans for patient transfers to the UK, in the wake of Flybe's collapse.

The airline operated almost half of the flights to and from the Island, including holding the contract for transporting Manx patients to hospitals in the North West of England for treatment not available here.

Despite calls from the public for the Manannan's season to start early, Mr Ashford said that's not currently being considered:

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