The battle to cut down on security queues at the airport is being won, according to Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer.

Over the past year, airport chiefs have come under heavy fire for lengthy queues at the security point, with some claiming to have been kept waiting for hours.

In July, a second x-ray machine was brought into operation, in a bid to reduce waiting times.

’We’re getting there,’ said Mr Harmer. ’The second line is in operation. For most of the peak periods, we have noticed that the queues have reduced considerably, but it will not be fully operational until after the half-term holiday.’

That is because the other machine needs an upgrade, which will mean there will be a short period of time where just one x-ray machine is in use.

The scheme to enlarge the security area and to create a second line cost £300,000. It came after a steady rise in complaints about waiting times.

Meanwhile, Mr Harmer said he was hopeful that Flybe’s plans to re-establish a base in the island from next year would help allay concerns over the number of cancellations of flights.

Currently, Flybe’s Isle of Man services are operated by Stobart Air, which also operates flights to and from Ireland for Aer Lingus.

Last month, it was revealed that more than 100 Stobart Air flights to or from the Isle of Man had been cancelled this year.

That included 40 flights on Flybe’s Liverpool service and 49 on its Manchester route.

However Flybe is ending its franchise arrangement with Stobart on those routes and, from March next year it will use its own 78-seat Bombardier Q400 from a ’newly-established base’ in the island.

That should see an improvement on services for those routes, Mr Harmer said.

’The flights will be originating from here, they will be based here. They won’t just be waiting for the last plane, they will be taking off from here.’

The airline has also renewed a three-year contract with the Department of Health and Social Care.

News that Flybe would be re-establishing a base in the island has already been welcomed by the pressure group TravelWatch, which said it would offer greater stability to air services.