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Manx2
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Manx2 branded FLM Aviation owned Dornier 228-202K

Key Information

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]

History

[edit]

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

[edit]

Fleet

[edit]
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

[edit]
  • 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 26 November 2011, a Manx2 Let-410 blew a tyre after a hard landing in gale-force winds at Blackpool airport. The plane skidded along the runway and came close to exiting onto the grass. The plane finally came to a stop at a sideways angle to the runway and all passengers were evacuated safely.[27]
  • 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.[28] There were no injuries amongst the twelve passengers and two crew.[29]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Manx2

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Manx2 was a virtual commuter headquartered at in Ballasalla, , that operated regional passenger flights primarily within the and from 2006 to 2012. Founded in May 2006 by the team responsible for establishing the Channel Islands Blue Islands, Manx2 functioned as a ticket sales and marketing entity rather than directly operating aircraft or crews. It outsourced its flights to multiple third-party operators, including BASe Air, Jetstream Executive, Flightline BCN, VanAir Europe, and FLM Aviation, under a model that allowed flexibility but relied on external compliance with safety standards. Manx2's initial routes connected the Isle of Man to destinations such as , , and , with expansions including and (seasonal) in 2007 and Newcastle in 2009; further routes added by 2010 included , Isle of Anglesey, Galway, and Cork, while London-Oxford Airport service began in 2011. The airline established a second base at Belfast City Airport in 2009 and reached a milestone by carrying its 250,000th passenger that year, reflecting growth in the regional market. Its fleet, provided by the partner operators, consisted of small aircraft suited for short-haul routes, including the Let L-410, BAe Jetstream 31, Fairchild Metroliner, and up to three Dornier 228s by 2009. A pivotal event in Manx2's history occurred on 10 February 2011, when Flight 7100, a Fairchild SA 227-BC Metro III (registration EC-ITP) operated by Flightline S.L., crashed at during a attempt in foggy conditions, resulting in six fatalities (two crew and four passengers) and injuries to the six surviving passengers out of 12 occupants. The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) determined the probable cause as loss of aircraft control due to the flight crew's mismanagement of speed and aircraft configuration during the , compounded by , inadequate , fatigue, and non-compliance with standard operating procedures. Contributing factors included insufficient pilot training and operator oversight, with the aircraft experiencing a temporary indication malfunction earlier in the flight. Following the accident, Manx2 suspended some routes to , including the Belfast–Cork service, and faced increased scrutiny, ultimately leading to the sale of its assets to Citywing Aviation Services in November 2012. The airline's operations concluded with its final flight on 31 December 2012, after which Citywing (later rebranded and eventually liquidated in 2017) absorbed much of its route network.

History

Formation

Manx2 was established on 11 May 2006 as a low-cost commuter headquartered on the Isle of Man, aiming to provide affordable regional air travel. The company was founded by the team responsible for creating , a regional carrier in the . From its inception, Manx2 operated as a virtual , meaning it did not own or maintain but instead functioned as a ticket broker, and selling seats on flights operated by partner carriers. This allowed the to focus on route development and without the capital-intensive requirements of fleet ownership, relying on wet-lease arrangements for operational execution. The airline's first commercial services commenced on 15 July 2006, with inaugural routes linking (Ronaldsway) to in and in . These flights were initially operated using aircraft provided through partnerships, such as with BASe Air. Manx2's early operations were centered exclusively at as its hub, emphasizing connectivity to underserved regional destinations across the to serve business and leisure travelers. Key initial partnerships for aircraft and crew provision included arrangements with operators like FLM Aviation, which later supported additional services using aircraft. Subsequent route expansions built on this foundation to broaden the network.

Expansion

Following its initial launch, Manx2 experienced rapid growth by establishing additional operational bases and expanding its route network to serve regional demand across the and . Initial services to were to ; in 2010, the airline opened a base at Belfast City Airport, moving operations there and enhancing connectivity from , while in 2008 it established a presence at to support increased frequencies on routes. By 2010, Manx2 further expanded with a base at , securing a contract for services to , which solidified its role as a regional connector. Key route developments during this period included the addition of services from the Isle of Man to in September 2007, providing access to the and West Midlands regions, and to in August 2009, filling a gap left by another operator. The airline also introduced flights to Leeds Bradford in 2006 with subsequent frequency increases, alongside seasonal Saturday extensions to starting in 2007 to cater to summer leisure travel. Further enhancements encompassed daily services to and exploratory Irish connections, such as Belfast to Cork launched in 2010, positioning Manx2 as a low-cost alternative for short-haul regional travel. Passenger numbers reflected this expansion, reaching a peak of 250,000 in 2009 amid strategic decisions to boost flight frequencies—such as up to 10 daily rotations to —and market the airline as an affordable option for underserved markets. This growth underscored Manx2's focus on niche regional links, with the addition of Galway-Belfast and Galway-Isle of Man routes in 2010 further diversifying its Irish operations and contributing to overall network resilience.

Decline and closure

By 2010, Manx2 encountered severe financial pressures, with Chairman Noel Hayes describing it as the worst year in the company's history due to an 11% decline in passenger numbers compared to 2009. This downturn stemmed from the lingering effects of the global economic recession on the airline industry and disruptions caused by the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud, which grounded flights across . Heightened , notably from EasyJet's low-cost services to , exacerbated the situation by driving down fares without boosting overall demand. The fatal crash of at on 10 February 2011 further strained the airline's operations and public image, resulting in six deaths and prompting an immediate operational review. In response, Manx2 suspended its Belfast-Cork route effective 14 March 2011, offering full refunds to affected passengers while maintaining other services. The incident also led to legal challenges over compensation, as survivors and families contested the airline's under its terms, which exempted it from holding a full . These cumulative challenges culminated in the announcement of a management buy-out on 22 November 2012, led by Managing Director , which acquired the company from previous majority shareholder Noel Hayes. Under the deal, Manx2 ceased operations on 31 December 2012, with the successor entity rebranding as Citywing effective 1 January 2013 and assuming select routes such as those to , , , and Newcastle. Manx2's tenure as a regional carrier nonetheless established key connectivity for the Isle of Man, directly influencing Citywing's model and ensuring continuity of essential short-haul services in the post-buy-out era.

Operations

Route network

Manx2 operated its primary hub from (Ronaldsway), serving as the central point for most of its regional network, while establishing a secondary base at Belfast City Airport, with operations also from and to support expanded services across the and . The airline's core route network connected the Isle of Man to key UK destinations, including multiple daily services to (both City and International Airports), , Leeds Bradford, (Staverton), Newcastle, and London Oxford, emphasizing convenient access for business and leisure travelers in northern and western . These routes formed the backbone of Manx2's operations, with the link alone carrying approximately 100,000 passengers annually by 2010. In addition to its UK-focused services, Manx2 extended connections into Ireland, operating flights from Belfast to Cork and from the Isle of Man directly to Cork, alongside occasional services to Galway from both Belfast and the Isle of Man. The network also included seasonal and charter routes, such as summer services from the Isle of Man to and Isle of Anglesey (Valley) Airport, and occasional flights to and , providing flexible options for peak travel periods. Manx2's route strategy prioritized short-haul, point-to-point regional flights, bypassing major hubs to offer direct, efficient travel between smaller airports and underserved markets in the . This approach allowed the airline to target niche demand, such as connectivity for the 's offshore financial sector and , without relying on connecting traffic through larger gateways.

Fleet

Manx2 operated as a virtual without owning any , instead relying on wet-lease agreements and code-share partnerships with various operators to provide its services. The 's fleet primarily consisted of small suited for short-haul regional routes, with typical configurations ranging from 18 to 19 seats to support low-cost operations. Key types included the , initially wet-leased from BASe Air starting in July 2006 and later operated by Van Air Europe from 2007 onward. The BAe Jetstream 31 was introduced in September 2006, operated by Jetstream Executive Travel initially, followed by FLM Aviation. In 2008, Manx2 expanded with the addition of up to three aircraft, all wet-leased from FLM Aviation, bringing the effective fleet size across partners to around 10-12 aircraft at its peak. Later, the Fairchild Metroliner (specifically the SA-227 series) was incorporated, operated by Flightline BCN under arrangements involving Air , marking a shift toward this type for improved efficiency on select routes in the airline's final years.

Incidents and accidents

2011 Cork crash

On 10 February 2011, , a scheduled service from Belfast City Airport (BHD) to (ORK) in Ireland, ended in a fatal crash during landing attempts in dense fog. The aircraft involved was a Fairchild SA 227-BC Metro III, registration EC-ITP, which had been wet-leased to Manx2 from the Spanish operator Flightline S.L. via sub-lessor Air Lada; it carried 10 passengers and 2 crew members. The flight departed Belfast at approximately 08:43 local time and arrived over Cork around 09:35 amid deteriorating weather, with visibility reduced to less than 200 meters due to fog. The sequence of events began with the first instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 35, which was abandoned above the decision height (DH) of 200 feet due to insufficient visual reference. A second non-precision approach was also discontinued for similar reasons, leading to a diversion consideration that was not pursued. On the third attempt, another ILS approach, the crew descended below DH without acquiring the required visual cues, initiated a at about 50 feet above ground level, but then lost control; the aircraft banked sharply, stalled, and impacted soft ground short of the threshold in an inverted attitude. Post-impact fires erupted in both engine nacelles but were quickly extinguished by airport emergency services. The crash resulted in 6 fatalities—both pilots and 4 passengers—while the 6 surviving passengers sustained injuries, with 4 classified as serious and 2 minor. The victims included Irish President ' cousin, Gearóid Hanna, among the deceased. Emergency response was prompt, with the aircraft wreckage secured for investigation. The Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) conducted a thorough probe, releasing its final report (No. 2014-001) on 28 2014. The was determined to be "loss of control during an attempted initiated below Decision Height (200 ft) in (IMC)." Contributory factors included the crew's decision to continue the approach below minimum visibility requirements, descent below DH without adequate visual reference, uncoordinated control inputs and improper engine power management during the go-around (resulting in one engine at idle and significant asymmetry), flight crew fatigue from extended duty periods, inadequate command training and checking for the captain, an inappropriate pilot pairing (with the first officer lacking sufficient experience for the role), and insufficient oversight by both the operating entity (Flightline S.L.) and the Spanish State of Registration (AESA). Weather conditions, characterized by and low cloud, further complicated the non-precision operations, though the aircraft was certified for such environments. In response to the findings, the AAIU issued 11 safety recommendations: 4 to the (addressing flight time limitations and wet-lease oversight), 3 to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (on limits for successive instrument approaches, pilot fatigue monitoring, and wet-lease crew training), 2 to Flightline S.L. (enhancing CRM and approach procedures), 1 to AESA (improving air carrier supervision), and 1 to the (ICAO) (standardizing approach capability declarations on flight plans). These prompted EASA to intensify scrutiny of wet-lease arrangements across European operators, highlighting risks in complex sub-leasing chains. No immediate fleet-wide grounding occurred, but the incident led to heightened regulatory reviews of similar commuter operations.

Other incidents

Following the fatal accident in February 2011, Manx2's operations faced heightened regulatory scrutiny, yet the recorded no additional fatalities in its remaining service. Two notable non-fatal incidents occurred in late 2011 and early 2012, both involving landing mishaps with safe evacuations. On 26 November 2011, Manx2 flight NM-106, a Let L-410UVP-E Turbolet registered OK-TCA, experienced a burst on landing at amid strong crosswinds of 45 mph. The aircraft skidded along the and came to rest at a 45-degree angle, but all 12 people on board evacuated without injury, and the plane sustained only minor damage. On 8 March 2012, a BAe Jetstream 31 registered G-CCPW, operated by Linksair on behalf of Manx2, suffered a failure of its right main upon touchdown on 26 at (Ronaldsway). The gear detached due to in the forward yoke , causing the to veer off the , slide on its remaining gear and wingtip, and stop on the grass; all 14 occupants disembarked uninjured, though the plane was substantially damaged. The UK (AAIB) investigation identified the cracking as the root cause—likely from prolonged exposure to environmental factors—and issued one safety recommendation for enhanced inspections of similar components on Jetstream . These events highlighted recurring challenges for Manx2, including weather-related difficulties during landings on regional runways susceptible to crosswinds and issues with on leased partner . Overall, the incidents prompted limited procedural adjustments, such as refined pre-landing checks, but no sweeping operational overhauls, underscoring the airline's otherwise incident-limited record absent the 2011 fatality.

References

  1. https://airlinegeeks.com/2018/03/01/tbt-a-look-back-at-manx2/
  2. https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/cork-airport-welcomes-new-manx2com-galway-service
  3. https://www.aaiu.ie/sites/default/files/report_attachments/Report_2014-001_Manx2_Flight_EC-ITP.pdf
  4. https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Manx2
  5. https://simpleflying.com/isle-of-man-short-lived-airlines/
  6. https://simpleflying.com/virtual-airline/
  7. https://worldairlinenews.com/tag/manx2-com/
  8. https://www.airkiosk.com/inc/MediaRelease.pdf
  9. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-11285459
  10. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-11904955
  11. https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-business/manx2-announces-new-route/
  12. https://www.three.fm/news/isle-of-man-news/manx2-take-over-vacant-newcastle-route/
  13. http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/isleofman/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9372000/9372365.stm
  14. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-12583033
  15. https://www.flightglobal.com/manx2-disputes-liability-for-casualties-of-cork-crash/98439.article
  16. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-20433164
  17. https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/14738-management-buy-out-at-manx2-to-rebrand-as-citywing
  18. https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-business/cardiff-tt-flights-announced-by-manx2/
  19. https://news.cision.com/intereurope-communications-group
  20. https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/manx2-brings-scheduled-links-london-oxford
  21. https://admiralcloudberg.medium.com/the-black-hole-business-model-the-crash-of-manx2-flight-7100-662523e81456
  22. https://worldairlinenews.com/tag/manx2/
  23. https://www.airhistory.net/photo/358081/D-CMNX
  24. https://www.iaemo.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/AAIU-REPORT-2014-001.pdf
  25. https://www.flightglobal.com/manx2-metroliner-crashes-in-cork-fatalities-reported/98330.article
  26. https://aviation-safety.net/asndb/321174
  27. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-25923960
  28. https://aaiu.ie/aaiu_report/accident-fairchild-sa-227-bc-metro-iii-ec-itp-cork-airport-10-february-2011-report-2014-001/
  29. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-27834035
  30. https://aaiu.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Final-PRESS-RELEASE-2014-001_0.pdf
  31. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/197522
  32. https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/s1-2012-bae-systems-jetstream-31-g-ccpw-8-march-2012
  33. https://avherald.com/h?article=44c26035
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