Manx airport shows passenger rise

Passenger numbers had not risen since August 2008

The number of passengers using the Isle of Man's airport has increased for the first time in almost a year.

Nearly 70,000 passengers passed through Ronaldsway in June, a 2% increase on the same period last year and the first rise since August 2008.

With UK regional airports continuing to report declines, Manx airport director Ann Reynolds said the figures were cause for "cautious optimism".

The TT festival falling in June was a significant factor, Ms Reynolds said.

May recovery

"The increase is heartening news at a time when expectations are that we would continue to see the increasing declines experienced in recent months," she added.

"I believe that, whilst there is reason to be cautiously optimistic, there are key underlying reasons for the dramatic about-turn from a 12% decrease in May to a 2% increase in June.

"Of particular influence was that the TT event, which always boosts traffic level, fell entirely in June this year.

"This would also account for the particularly poor performance we experienced in May."

Figures released last month showed that 8,470 fewer passengers travelled in May compared with the same period in 2008.