Minister defends open skies policy

Harmer quizzed about excessive air fares

There needs to be a balance of reasonable fare prices, attractive flight times and a wide variety of destinations to ensure the Island has sustainable air routes.

That's according to Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer who was defending the Island's open skies policy in Tynwald.

North Douglas MHK David Ashford quizzed the minister (Tues) about excessive air fares, highlighting market forces and a three and four-fold rise in some prices during TT fortnight.

Mr Harmer said complaints about airfares would prompt the department to contact individual airlines.

But he said the open skies policy had been largely effective for the Island and, if prices were not sustainable, passenger numbers would drop and routes would become unviable.