The Rockhopper fleet will be boosted to seven in February

The company also announced it is to increase its fleet with the addition of two Jetstream 19-seater planes.

It said the Isle of Man route will be scheduled to fit in with inter-island services for Guernsey and Alderney.

Noel Hayes, the chief executive, said: "We are really excited and expect the Isle of Man service to be really popular with the business communities."

Mr Hayes said the company also plans to develop more routes out of Jersey and Guernsey next year.

Passenger increase

"The next few months will see significant developments for Rockhopper", he said.

The two British Aerospace Jetstreams planes, which will operate from February, will be in addition to the company's two Islander and three Trislander planes.

In October Rockhopper reported a monthly increase of more than 100% in passenger numbers using its Jersey routes.