Flybe is launching a new route from the island to London Heathrow beginning next month.

The new route, sees a direct link between the island and the UK’s biggest airport return for the first time in almost 20 years, when Manx Airlines was sold.

The announcement was made by Brian Kelly, chairman of Mann Link Travel which owns www.visitiom.co.uk, which sells flights to and from the island.

Mr Kelly said: ’This is a fantastic opportunity for both business and leisure travellers looking for greater convenience and more choice when travelling inbound or outbound between the Isle of Man and London.

’We are hoping to use this new route to attract a larger volume of inbound tourists to the island this Summer. With the new Virgin ownership, there is a greater opportunity for onward connections globally too.’

The daily return service is due to begin on April 21 with the first scheduled flight being from Ronaldsway at 1.50pm and will run seven days a week.

Flybe’s new base in the island is also set to open from March 31 which will see it run its 78-seat Bombardier Dash 8-400 aircraft.