• Welsh

New operator for North-South air link announced

Published: 30 April 2010

The Welsh Assembly Government has announced that Manx2.com, along with its partner carrier FLM Aviation, have been appointed as the new operator for the North-South air link.

The Cardiff to Anglesey service will resume on Monday 10 May and passengers are able to book on www.manx2.com.

Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said:
"I am pleased to announce that Manx2 will be running the north - south air link from 10 May. This is a vital service which helps to secure economic, social and political cohesion in Wales, as well as supporting economic development in north-west Wales.  I made a commitment that the Assembly Government would take action to maintain this service and we have now achieved this.

"As I have said before, the Cardiff to Anglesey service has been hugely popular, with passenger numbers far exceeding our expectations.  Manx2 is an established operator with a proven track record, who already has experience of operating the service from those occasions when Highland Airways had operational difficulties.  The Assembly Government is committed to maintaining this vital service and we look forward to working with Manx2 to build on its success".

Noel Hayes, Chairman of Manx2.com, said:
"As a Celtic neighbour, Manx2.com is delighted to have been chosen to reconnect Cardiff and Anglesey.  With our home base just 50 miles away across the Irish Sea, we're excited about the prospect of bringing our award-winning service and our record of reliability and punctuality to this essential community route".

Manx2 has been appointed to operate the service for seven months.  The Welsh Assembly Government will shortly be undertaking a further tendering exercise at the European level to appoint an operator for a four-year contract.

Steve Hodgetts, Cardiff Airport's Business Development and Commercial Director added:
"The intra Wales service has proved popular with travellers over the past two and a half years connecting north and south Wales, and we're pleased that the flights will resume in May.
 
We look forward to working with Manx2 and hope that Welsh passengers will continue to use the service to ensure it will become even more successful than in previous years."

Services will leave Cardiff Airport Monday-Friday at 0730, returning from Anglesey Valley at 0855 and arriving into Cardiff at 1000. Monday to Thursday afternoon flights leave Cardiff at 1615, returning at 1740. Friday afternoon services will run an hour earlier, departing 1515 and returning at 1640.