Flybe might be called ’Flymaybe’ by some but that nickname is unfair, according to new tpunctuality records.

The airline, which operates more flights than any other to and from the island’s airport, has been recognised as the most punctual UK-based airline in the latest report on ’Best and Worst Airlines’ issued by consumer watchdog Which?

Flybe tops for on time performance all other UK-based airlines including British Airways, Easyjet, Jet2 and Thomas Cook.

The study was based on an analysis of monthly punctuality statistics gathered by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on the percentage of flights that arrived in to the UK within 15 minutes of due time (Short Haul Airlines).

This latest Which? report says 80% of Flybe’s flights were recorded as being on time, ahead of British Airways (79%); Jet2 (76%); Thomas Cook (69%) and Easyjet (67%).

iomtoday.co.im asked Flybe whether flight cancellations were part of the calculation.

Even though the airline sent out information boasting about its record, Flybe said it couldn’t comment on the intelligence used by Which?

However, a spokesman said: ’The overwhelming majority of Flybe’s 1,659 departures from the Isle of Man over the past six months have been operated by its franchise partner, Stobart Air.

’Flybe can confirm that of this total number, 82% of flights operated with an on-time performance within 15 minutes. It said that 2.89% of flights were cancelled, the majority of which were for weather-related reasons.’

Luke Farajallah, Flybe’s chief operating officer, said: ’Flybe remains heavily focused on maintaining its above-average track record for punctuality and there is a company-wide commitment to improve even further this very important element of our passengers’ experience.

’So we are delighted to have been again recognised as the most punctual UK-based airline. Arriving on time is an important consideration for passengers and is among the key performance areas scrutinised and monitored closely by all airlines.’

Flybe was rated the best UK airline for punctuality and sixth in the world in a airlines punctuality league table in January 2017 and has in previous years beaten its competitors in a number of similar Which? reports.