Coc: Use them or lose them warning over vital travel links

Government believes there is confidence in local market 

The President of the Chamber of Commerce says it hears regularly hears from businesses about issues of getting people here.

However, Claire Watterson and board member Chris Corlett have warned that the routes need to be utilised to ensure the future viability of good links to and from the Island.

Appearing on Mannin Line, Ms Watterson said the Island’s small population meant there was always a risk to connectivity if flights weren’t used. 

She warned that if businesses and residents failed to support existing services, airlines could not be expected to 'be flying empty planes backwards and forwards,' and routes would inevitably be lost.

She said regular complaints from firms about clients and staff being stranded underscored how fragile the situation had become, particularly when poor connections could mean people stuck overnight in UK airports.

Mr Corlett said reliable air and sea links were 'absolutely vital to the future of our island', both for attracting high net worth residents and bringing in skilled workers. 

He warned the Island risked dropping below a 'critical mass' of passengers, creating a 'self-perpetuating' cycle where fewer routes made it harder to travel, reducing visitor numbers and undermining the wider economy.