Flight figures decline, according to government data

New figures from the government show a decline in air travel over the past decade – with 2013 seeing the fewest flights to and from Ronaldsway airport since 2006.

The government’s quarterly digest of economic and social statistics shows last year there were 19,793 scheduled flights arriving and departing.

At its peak eight years ago that figure was more than 31,000.

However, that doesn’t seem to have affected passenger numbers, which have remained steady at around the 700,000 a year mark.

One area there has been huge growth is business flights.

The Department of Infrastructure says last year there were almost 1,300, ten times the number seen in 2012.