Manx2

Manx2 was a virtual commuter airline with its head office in Hangar 9, Isle of Man Airport in Ballasalla, Malew, Isle of Man.[2] It sold flights and services from several airports in the UK with bases in Belfast City, Blackpool, Cardiff and Isle of Man.[3] The flights were operated for Manx2 by a number of airlines including, Van Air Europe, FLM Aviation and Links Air.[4] In December 2012 the assets of Manx2 were sold to Citywing and Manx2's last flight took place on 31 December 2012.[5]

Manx2
IndustryTravel
SuccessorCitywing
Founded11 May 2006 (2006-05-11)
Defunct31 December 2012 (2012-12-31)
Headquarters
Isle of Man Airport
,
Isle of Man
Key people
Noel Hayes (Chairman)
David Buck (MD) [1]
Manx2 branded FLM Aviation owned Dornier 228-202K

History

Manx2 was launched on 11 May 2006, with services starting on 15 July. Its chairman was Noel Hayes.[3] 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 Turbolet painted in the new corporate colours of Manx2.[6] 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 its fleet in September 2006 with the aircraft being operated by Jetstream Executive Travel. Initially only one Jetstream 31 was added to the fleet to operate the Isle of Man to Leeds Bradford service.

Manx2 added a Fairchild Metroliner from Flightline BCN to its fleet for a period and extended its route network to include Belfast City. Routes to Belfast City and Blackpool were flown by two 19-seat[7] turboprop Let L-410 aircraft from European operator VanAir Europe.[8]

On 3 September 2007, Manx2 launched a new 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 sought to compete with Flybe's service to Birmingham. The route also had a seasonal extension to Jersey on Saturdays.

In 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,[9] while the Belfast City flights surpassed the former Island flag carrier's numbers.[10] A new base was established at Belfast City with additional frequency to the Isle of Man and Cork. The Leeds Bradford route also operated daily.[11] The Gloucestershire route operated every weekday morning[11][12] In August 2009 a new route was started[13] to Newcastle upon Tyne, and in May 2010 the company[14] tendered for a seven-month Public Service Obligation contract to operate the Cardiff–Isle of Anglesey route for the Welsh Assembly Government. This contract was subsequently extended for a further four years.[15]

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.[16] and Manx2 ceased its leasing arrangement with Flightline BCN.[17] Manx2 subsequently exited the domestic Irish market, cancelling its seasonal Belfast – Galway service.

Services between Belfast City and Isle of Man were increased,[18] and through Services to Gloucester (Staverton) from Belfast City were launched.[19] The company also operated seasonal services between Isle of Man and Anglesey (Valley) Airport.[20] A service to London Oxford airport was announced, and services began seven days a week starting May 2012 and this service continued through to January 2013.

On 22 November 2012, Manx2.com announced a buy-out of its business by Citywing Aviation Services Ltd, a new company formed by a management buyout team.[21] Manx2's last flight took place on 31 December 2012.[22] From 1 January 2013, all flights were transferred to Citywing.[23]

Destinations

Fleet
A FLM Aviation Dornier 228 at Gloucestershire Airport operating services for Manx2

The Manx2 business was often referred to as a virtual airline. Manx2 did not own any aircraft directly but by virtue of its branding and advertising, sold tickets on flights operated on its behalf by other airlines, with some painted in the Manx2.com livery.

Accidents and incidents
  • On 10 February 2011, Manx2 Flight 7100, a Fairchild SA 227-BC Metro III owned by the Spanish airline Air Lada and registered EC-ITP, was operating a scheduled flight under the AOC of Flightline S.L on behalf of Manx2. The flight, NM7100, was operating from Belfast-City to Cork with ten passengers and two crew. At 09:50 hrs, during the third attempt to land at Cork Airport in low visibility conditions, control was lost and the aircraft impacted the runway. The aircraft came to a rest inverted in soft ground to the right of the runway surface. Post impact fires occurred in both engines which were quickly extinguished by the Airport Fire Service (AFS). Six persons, including both pilots, were killed. Four passengers were seriously injured and two received minor injuries.[25][26]
  • On 8 March 2012, BAe Jetstream 3102 G-CCPW of Links Air, operating Manx2 Flight 302 from Leeds-Bradford to Ronaldsway departed from the paved surface of the runway after landing at Ronaldsway. The aircraft was substantially damaged when the starboard undercarriage collapsed.[27] There were no injuries amongst the twelve passengers and two crew.[28]

References
  1. "David Buck is new MD at Manx2. com". iomtoday, 18 January 2012. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  2. "Customer Services Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine." 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."
  3. "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 10 April 2007. pp. 47–48.
  4. "Links Air. Executive Corporate Travel. Chartered Airline. Fleet". Linksair.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  5. "Citywing News - Frequent low-cost flights from the Isle of Man". Archived from the original on 23 March 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  6. "VAN AIR Europe a.s. – Let 410 Pictures". Vanair.org. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  7. "VAN AIR Europe a.s. – Let 410 Specification". Vanair.org. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  8. "VAN AIR Europe a.s. – Contact". Vanair.org. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  9. "Airport Facilities – UK and European destinations with both charter and scheduled flights". Blackpool International. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  10. "Trend continues with Airport passenger numbers 4.8% down – Isle of Man Airport Website". Gov.im. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  11. "Manx2 Timetable". Airkiosk.com. 26 December 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  12. "Gloucestershire Airport Information Pack" (PDF). Gloucestershire Airport. January 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  13. "Manx2 Steps in to 'Save' Newcastle Link | Newsroom". Isleofman.com. 6 August 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  14. "Cardiff Airport". AirportWatch. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  15. "Manx2.com wins Wales Air Link contract – Cardiff Airport". Tbicardiffairport.com. 3 December 2010. Archived from the original on 14 January 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  16. "Flightline". Aircharterguide.com. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  17. isleofman.com. "Flightline BCN no longer operating flights for Manx2 following crash - Isle of Man News :: isleofman.com". Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  18. "Isle of Man – Manx2.com to launch new Belfast timetable". IFC Feed. 4 July 2011. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  19. "Take off to Belfast from Gloucestershire Airport" (PDF). Gloucestershire Airport. 25 August 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  20. "By air". Visitanglesey.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 January 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  21. "Management buy-out at Manx2.com - Citywing News". Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  22. "Citywing takes to the skies - Citywing News". Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  23. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 November 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  24. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 December 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. "Six killed in Cork plane crash". 10 February 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  26. "Cork Airport to resume full service from Saturday". 11 February 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2017 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  27. Hradecky, Simon (8 March 2012). "Accident: Linksair JS31 at Isle of Man on Mar 8th 2012, runway excursion, gear collapse". The Aviation Herald. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  28. "Passenger plane crash-lands at Ronaldsway Airport". BBC News Online. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
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