Collapsed airline Flybe owes the Manx government more than £300,000 in unpaid landing fees.

Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan told the House of Keys that the airline also owes his department for unpaid air passenger duty but the exact figure was not yet known.

Mr Cannan told MHKs: ’I am unable to provide an exact figure for monies owed by Flybe to the Isle of Man Government at this precise point.

’Customs and Excise are currently awaiting the submission of the most recent return from Flybe in respect of air passenger duty.

’I am, however, aware that £303,245.16 is due and owing to the Department of Infrastructure for the payment of landing fees.’

He said Flybe submitted and paid in full January’s APD return for an amount totalling £155,577 but its February return was not due for filing until March 20.

’I will let this House know in due course of any further outstanding debts,’ he said.

Mr Cannan said the DoI had impounded a Flybe-operated aircraft, in effect arresting it until outstanding amounts are paid.

He said: ’A Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft, which is the aircraft in question, has a replacement value of around £25 million and a book value of about £4 million, so I hope that we should indeed get our money that is owed.’

Onchan MHK Julie Edge asked whether Flybe had any other contracts with government, particularly with regard to advertising by Visit Isle of Man and payments up front.

’If it emerges that there are other debts owing, then I will certainly be happy to inform the House,’ replied the Infrastructure Minister.