There are renewed hopes over the return of flights from Ronaldsway to Blackpool.

Pilots based in Blackpool are currently trying to find investors and aircraft for their company, InterCity Airways, with hopes it can plug the gap left by the collapse of Citywing last year.

InterCity Airways director Bradley Gosney said: ’InterCity Airways plans on beginning operations within the next few months, hopefully catching the end of the 2018 summer season.’

Mr Gosney explained his new company was aware of previous problems with the airport and the airlines that flew in and out of it, but believed InterCity could make a success of it.

’In the past Citywing operated the Blackpool to Isle of Man service.

’Citywing operated this very successfully up until last year when its operator (Van Air Europe) lost their right to operate commercially within the UK.’

The airline hopes, once investment has been secured, to use Saab 340 twin prop aircraft, similar to those previously used from the island that served the former LoganAir/Flybe flights to Scotland.

Flights between the island and Blackpool were previously served by Manx2.com and then Citywing before operations ceased in March of last year.

Citywing stopped operating after an incident at Ronaldsway where a plane nearly rolled onto it side in heavy winds after landing at the airport. The report by the Air Accident Investigation Branch criticised the nature of the company and the training of the flight crew.

DESTINATIONS

It is understood that InterCity intends to run flights to three destinations a day and try to grow the business as demand increases.

Mr Gosney concluded: ’We are very keen and committed to reintroducing flights from Blackpool Airport to destinations across the UK and Ireland.

’Many of the destinations we have chosen have options for onward travel further afield with other airlines, including an option to fly onto the USA.

’We believe that Blackpool Airport is an ideal location for our airline as its small, friendly and convenient for passengers and is also the UK’s most popular tourist destination with over 18 million tourists visiting the resort every year.’

The news comes less than a week since it was revealed in the Examiner that Eastern Airways is to end its Ronaldsway to Belfast route.