Airport figures maintain levels

Airport bosses are pleased with the rise in passengers

The Isle of Man's airport weathered the downturn in air travel and the global economic crisis, new figures show.

The Department of Transport (DoT) said 763,200 passengers used Ronaldsway last year, a drop of 0.16% from 2007.

Transport Minister David Anderson said the figure was "remarkable" given the May collapse of Euromanx - responsible for a third of airport traffic.

Despite fears of a downturn, more than half of its 21 scheduled services posted passenger increases.

'Positive start'

The major decrease was seen in the London City route following the collapse of EuroManx, which helped achieve 66,000 passengers in 2007. This dropped to fewer than 30,000 in 2008.

Aer Arann starts a three times daily service to London City Airport on 19 January which should help rectify the situation, said Airport Director Ann Reynolds.

Mr Anderson said he was pleased with the 2008 airport figures.

"We are under no illusion about the challenges faced by the air transport industry as a whole, and the Isle of Man air service network in particular during these difficult times," he said.

"However it is not only reassuring to see 2008 holding up so well, but also very encouraging to be able to start 2009 so positively."