Loganair has launched a recruitment drive to more than double the number of its cabin crew based in the Isle of Man, the airline’s boss has told the Manx Independent.
Chief executive Jonathan Hinkles said there are plans in the pipeline to launch services to Birmingham along with flights to Edinburgh and doubling the number of daily flights to London Heathrow.
He said Loganair’s Ronaldsway base is home to three captains, four first officers and three cabin crew.
The plan is to double the number of cabin crew as only the first step to further growth, said Mr Hinkles.
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The Scottish airline has been given taxpayers’ money to maintain the Isle of Man’s only passenger air services throughout the pandemic.
Mr Hinkles said he and his team would be watching closely as the island’s government decisions over coming out of lockdown in the island.
He said: ’We have had a base already established in the Isle of Man already. It is very much a local structure and local presence.
’We already have a team of three Isle of Man cabin crew and I anticpate that will be more than doubled, I think it could go to seven or eight. Then there will be further growth later in the year as we introduce the ATR 72 aircraft.’
He added: ’The Loganair mantra is that we employ people locally to do the work locally rather than parachute people in.’
Mr Hinkles said slots have been secured for Heathrow this summer and Mr Hinkles is confident this will be continued for the longer term.
’Once border restrictions start to change it will move from one flight a day to two to Heathrow,’ he said.
The plan is also for Liverpool and Manchester services being maintained. And Mr Hinkles said there could be news soon of flights to Birmingham and Edinburgh.
Mr Hinkles said he is confident that after border restrictions are lifted, and it is deemed safe to do so, that there will be an increase in the number of domestic air passengers to the island.
Paul Quine, MHK for Douglas South, who is a trained pilot, said: ’It is news which I whole-heartedly welcome, and is a real statement of conviction in our island.
’It fully supports the confident decision which has been taken by our government over the last year to support our local aviation industry, whereby we have been able to continue to provide lifeline air services for people seeking urgent medical treatment off-island and also for business, with the certainty of service even in the most challenging of times.’