Scottish airline Loganair, the only operator currently flying from the island, has asked the UK government for a bailout.

The airline currently operates flights to Liverpool, Manchester and Heathrow from Ronaldsway.

Sky News is reporting that the UK government has drafted in advisers to help decide the terms of a state bailout for Loganair as the aviation industry reels from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has retained PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to assist it in negotiations with the regional carrier.

This comes after other airlines, such as Virgin Atlantic, called for government support.

Loganair, which typically operates more than 200 daily flights, has slashed its schedule by more than half as a result of the pandemic.

The privately owned company has asked employees to cut their working hours by 20% and accept a 20% reduction in salary, or take a period of unpaid leave.

One of the beneficiaries of the collapse of Flybe, Loganair is now Britain’s biggest regional airline. However its promise to recruit Flybe staff after it collapsed has had to be put on hold due to the pandemic which has brought many of Europe’s airlines to a standstill.

Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair chief executive, said on Sunday: ’Work is ongoing with all stakeholders to ensure that Loganair continues to provide the lifeline services and essential UK regional connectivity upon which so many communities and customers depend - connectivity that it is providing even today through the Covid-19 pandemic at a time when many other airlines have shut down completely.

’It is not appropriate to provide a running update on the discussions, yet we remain very confident that Loganair’s future prospects are the strongest of any UK regional airline.’