Isle of Man air link with Channel Islands to end

Flights linking the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey, are "untenable'" and will end next year, say airline bosses.

The Blue Islands service - the only direct air link between all three islands - will be scrapped in February.

A company spokesman said it was because of a massive decline in business.

Managing director Rob Veron said: "Over four years we have seen a 72% decrease in passengers on the Isle of Man service, which is untenable."

He added: "The Isle of Man is not a strong leisure destination and as such the passenger numbers have been declining consistently.

"A number of key business accounts have ceased travel to the island which has impacted significantly."

The airline said flights will operate until February 2013 and any passengers who have booked to travel after this time will be given a full refund or another booking.

The Blue Island's service between the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands began in 2006 and ran every weekday.

Earlier this month the Isle of Man airport reported a "sharp" drop in passenger figures.

The government figures showed the number of people travelling through Ronaldsway airport fell by 7.5%, a drop of 4,800 from September 2011.