Bell encouraged by meeting with Flybe boss

The chief minister says he's hopeful Flybe bosses will consider carefully the needs of the Island before axing any lifeline routes.

Allan Bell met the airline's chief executive Saad Hammad yesterday to raise serious concerns over Flybe's decision to shut its base at Ronaldsway, a move which has resulted in 49 pilots and cabin crew losing their jobs. 

Flybe's announcement a week ago is part of a wide-ranging company restructure involving cutbacks to its regional operation across the board.

Elsewhere, Mr Bell says efforts are continuing to re instate the Scottish routes lost earlier this year. He described behind-the-scenes progress as 'well advanced' with the support of Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond.

Mr Bell said progress had also been made in talks with BA to secure the London City route from next spring and he expected encouraging news on both fronts early in the new year.

He confirmed the government's contract with Flybe to provide a regular patient transfer to Liverpool could prove a key issue: