The Manx government is in talks with other airlines interested in running flights to Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.

It is reacting after the overnight news that Flybe had collapsed.

A government statement reads: ’Flybe has offered a great service to the Isle of Man for many years and we are really sorry to hear this announcement.

’Flybe has successfully operated the island’s Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham routes for many years.

’The Isle of Man Government’s patient transfer contract provides a significant number of flight bookings and the government is talking with other airlines that are interested in continuing to serve the Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham routes.

’We are confident that another operator will be keen to take on these popular routes.’

Scheduled patient transfers were advised this morning of the cancellations of the flights.

The statement adds: ’We would encourage anyone scheduled to travel in the next few days to check the patient transfer website for the latest details or call 642673.’

For patients travelling to or from the UK on or before Monday, March 9:

If you need to travel to or from the UK within the next few days, and you were due to travel with Flybe, then if possible the government is encouraging them to book/re-book your own journey and the Department of Health and Social Care will reimburse them for their travel costs on production of your receipts.

That could be by air or sea.

The department will reimburse them for all ’reasonable travel costs’ and accommodation costs of up to £50 per person per night if they have to stay overnight in the UK in paid accommodation as part of the journey.

Patients must keep their receipts.

People who are travelling on or before March 9 and need help with their booking should email [email protected] or call the office on 642673.

The DHSC says: ’We expect the lines to be very busy and we apologise in advance if you experience a longer than usual wait to get through to a member of staff.’

Patients travelling between Tuesday, March 10, and Monday, March 16:

The department will issue an update within the next 24 hours for patients travelling between these dates.

It says: ’We would greatly appreciate if you do not telephone or email the patient transport office just yet in order that we may concentrate on bookings for patients needing to travel within the next few days.’