Open skies policy to be retained

Tynwald has voted in favour of recommendations made in a report into the Isle of Man's open skies policy.

They include keeping the policy as it is for now, but regularly reviewing it and having a back-up plan 'on the shelf' should the current policy no longer be deemed appropriate.

Onchan MHK Peter Karran had called for the report to go back to the committee, in light of recent developments with airlines in the Isle of Man - Flybe closing its base here, for example.

That was roundly rejected, and the recommendations of the report were accepted.

Chairman of the committee which looked into it, Ramsey MHK Leonard Singer, had this to say just prior to the votes: