An announcement is due imminently on a new operator for routes formerly served by Flybe, a Tynwald committee was told today.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer told the infrastructure policy review committee: ’We hope to make an announcement very shortly, almost imminently.’

Mr Harmner said airlines were more nervous about committing to new routes due to the fear of coronavirus.

Scottish airline Loganair has taken over Flybe’s Liverpool route on an interim basis but has said it is in advanced talks over the Manchester and Birmingham routes too.

Nick Black, chief executive of the Department of Infrastructure, said: ’I have a final proposal from an airline. If at all possible we would like to make an announcement to the public today.

’The airline that we have most advanced negotiations with and is most likely to come through and deliver on the promises would like to restart Manchester and Liverpool by the 20th and all the routes by the 29th of this month.

’If we can get things done, they would like to take bookings from this weekend.’

Mr Black said it was a scheduled airline with an existing passenger service facility.

Mr Harmer said the department had hoped for the best but planned for the worst over Flybe’s future.

Mr Black said there had been 48 hours of rumour that Flybe had been in trouble. ’It was someone with a pre-existing health conidtion.’