Two leading politicians have now said they are against the idea of a state-owned airline.

Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan MHK has added his voice after the Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK said he was opposed and taxpayers might have to subsidise airlines to keep routes going.

A former boss of Manx Airlines, Terry Liddiard, says that now was the time to reconsider the idea in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Cannan warned against rushing in on either buying in or investing in an airline in the island. He said: ’I’m not that keen personally to invest taxpayers’ money into air travel, I think that’s much better run by privateers and by private industry.

’But if there is a strong argument in the future that the island will now benefit from having secured air travel via either a share or a whole share in an airline then we will carefully consider it.’

Mr Quayle said: ’There’s certainly a benefit of having your own plane whether you are an individual or a jurisdiction but with that luxury comes the cost.’

He pointed to the fact the Guernsey airline Aurigny recorded losses approaching £10m for last year and they might be looking at greater losses this year because of Covid-19.

’Yes we are having meetings with the Guernsey airline because it would be nice to see if there is more that we could do in working together and I know that will be happening over the coming weeks.’

He added: ’However I still believe firmly that working with other existing airline companies is probably the best value for taxpayers. Having your own airline with all your staff based in the island is a good idea initially but at the end of the day you have to sit down and look at the cost, pound, shillings and pence.’

lTurn to page 26 for interview with Aurigny boss.