- Manx2
-
Manx2 IATA
NMICAO
-Callsign
-Founded May 2006 Operating bases - Belfast City
- Blackpool
- Cardiff
- Isle of Man (HQ)
Focus cities Cardiff and Gloucestershire (M5) Frequent-flyer program Manx Gold Fleet size 6 Destinations 13 Headquarters Isle of Man Airport
Ballasalla, Malew, Isle of ManKey people Noel Hayes Website www.manx2.com Manx2 Limited is a virtual commuter airline, with its head office in Hangar 9, Isle of Man Airport in Ballasalla, Malew, Isle of Man.[1] It sells flights and services from several airports in the UK with bases in Belfast City, Blackpool, Cardiff and Isle of Man.[2] The flights are currently operated by three airlines, Van Air Europe,FLM Aviation,[3] and Links Air.[4]
Contents
History
Manx2 was launched on 11 May 2006 with services starting on 15 July. Its chairman is Noel Hayes.[2] Manx2 was founded by the team who set up the Blue Islands airline, which serves the Channel Islands.
On 11 July 2006 Manx2 took delivery of its first chartered aircraft, a Let L-410 painted in the new corporate colours of Manx2.[5] The aircraft was initially operated by 'BASe Air Kft' (Budapest Air Services) under the call sign 'Base' and the flight code 'BPS'. The first three routes to be announced by Manx2 were from the Isle of Man to Belfast International and Blackpool on 15 July, followed by Leeds Bradford on 12 August 2006.
Manx2 introduced the BAe Jetstream 31 into their fleet in September 2006 with the aircraft being operated by Jetstream Executive Travel. Initially only one J31 was added to the fleet to operate the Isle of Man to Leeds Bradford service.
Manx2 added a Fairchild Metroliner from Flightline BCN to their fleet for a period and extended their route network to include Belfast City. Routes to Belfast City and Blackpool are now flown by two 19 seat[6] turboprop Let L-410 aircraft from European operator VanAir Europe.[7]
On 3 September 2007, Manx2 launched a new twice-daily service connecting Manx2's base on the Isle of Man with Gloucestershire Airport, located at Staverton between Gloucester and Cheltenham, within an hour of major cities such as Birmingham and Bristol. This route now competes with Flybe who fly to Birmingham. The route also has a seasonal extension to Jersey on Saturdays
For 2008 Manx 2 added two Dornier 228 aircraft to its fleet and carried 100,000 passengers that year. A third Do 228 was added in 2009. In 2009 Manx2 announced it had carried its 250,000th passenger. It also announced an increased frequency of five flights daily on its main route from Blackpool and additional flights to Belfast City.
The flagship route to Blackpool was subsequently increased to ten flights per day after the company launched 15 days free parking for its customers at Blackpool airport,[8] while the Belfast City flights have surpassed the former Island flag carrier's numbers.[9] A new base was established at Belfast City with additional frequency to the Isle of Man and Cork. The Leeds Bradford route also operates daily.[10] The Gloucestershire route is operated every weekday morning[10] and evening and has been a great success with the benefit of permanent free parking at Gloucester.[11] In August 2009 a new route was started[12] to Newcastle upon Tyne, and in May 2010 the company succeeded[13] in tendering for a seven month Public Service Obligation contract to operate the Cardiff–Isle of Anglesey route for the Welsh Assembly Government. This contract has subsequently been extended for a further four years.[14]
Shortly thereafter Manx2 launched a service from Galway to Belfast and the Isle of Man, and in September 2010 a twice daily service between Belfast and Cork was launched. This service ceased in March 2011 following an accident involving the operator of the route, Flightline BCN.[15] and Manx2 ceased its leasing arrangement with Flightline BCN.[16] Manx2 has since exited the Irish market, having cancelled its seasonal Belfast - Galway service.
Services between Belfast City and Isle of Man have been increased [17] and through Services to Gloucester (Staverton) from Belfast City have been launched.[18] The company also operates seasonal services between Isle of Man and Anglesey (Valley)[19] Airport.
Destinations
- Isle of Man
- Ronaldsway - Isle of Man Airport Base and HQ
- United Kingdom
- Blackpool - Blackpool International Airport Base
- Jersey - Jersey Airport
- Leeds/Bradford - Leeds Bradford International Airport
- Newcastle upon Tyne - Newcastle Airport
- Cheltenham/Gloucester - Gloucestershire Airport Focus City
- Anglesey - Anglesey Airport
- Cardiff - Cardiff Airport Base
- George Best Belfast City Airport Base
Manx2 has aligned its flight schedule with that of Jet2.com and others to enable passengers to connect to other destinations in Europe.[2]
Fleet
Manx2 does not own any aircraft directly but sells tickets on flights operated by other airlines, with some painted in the Manx2.com livery. The following aircraft are operated on services for Manx2 by airline operators as of 10 February 2011[update]:[20]
Manx2 fleet Aircraft Total Dornier Do 228 3 Let L-410 Turbolet 2 Jetstream 31 2 Total 7 Accidents and incidents
- On 10 February 2011, a Fairchild Swearingen SA.227BC Metro III, operated by Spanish Airline Flightline BCN [21] with flight number NM7100, operating for Manx2 from Belfast City to Cork crashed on landing, killing four passengers and two crew and injuring a further six. The commuter flight from Belfast had ten passengers and two crew on board when it crashed in heavy fog at 9.51am. It was reported that it was the aircraft's third attempt at landing in foggy conditions, and overturned when it hit the ground.[22][23][24][25]
External links
References
- ^ "Customer Services." Manx2. Retrieved on 11 February 2011. "Our head office is located at: Manx2 Limited Hanger 9 Isle of Man Airport Ballasalla, Isle Of Man IM9 2AY."
- ^ a b c "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International: pp. 47–48. 2007-04-10.
- ^ http://www.flm-aviation.eu/
- ^ http://www.linksair.co.uk/fleet.html
- ^ http://www.vanair.org/index-Dateien/page0008.htm
- ^ http://www.vanair.org/index-Dateien/page0007.htm
- ^ http://www.vanair.org/
- ^ http://www.blackpoolinternational.com/airport-facilities/car-parking.php
- ^ http://www.gov.im/transport/airport/ViewNews.gov?menuid=18319&page=lib/news/transport/airport/trendcontinueswi.xml
- ^ a b http://www.airkiosk.com/cgi-bin/airkiosk/display_ssim?NM
- ^ http://www.gloucestershireairport.co.uk/Airport_Info_Pack.pdf
- ^ http://www.isleofman.com/News/article.aspx?article=18367
- ^ http://airportwatch.org.uk/news/detail.php?art_id=841
- ^ http://www.tbicardiffairport.com/en/news/1/51/manx2com-wins-wales-air-link-contract.html
- ^ http://www.aircharterguide.com/Operator_Info/FLIGHTLINE/660/BARCELONA/716
- ^ Flightline BCN no longer operating flights for Manx2 following crash
- ^ http://www.ifcfeed.com/isle-of-man-articles/Manx2com-to-launch-new-Belfast-timetable.aspx
- ^ http://www.gloucestershireairport.co.uk/PR/Press_release_Belfast_route.pdf
- ^ http://www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-GB/by_air-188.aspx
- ^ "Manx2 Fleet Listing." Jethro's UK and Ireland Fleet Listings. Retrieved on 14 November 2010.
- ^ ^ Flightline BCN no longer operating flights for Manx2 following crash
- ^ "'Six killed' in plane crash". BBC News. 10 February 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12415541. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
- ^ Irish Aviation Authority - Aircraft Crashes at Cork
- ^ Six killed as Belfast flight crashes at Cork international airpor
- ^ [|Topping, Alexandra] (10 February 2011). "Plane Crash at Cork Airport: Latest News". The Guardian (London: Guardian News and Media Limited). http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/feb/10/cork-plane-crash-latest-news. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
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