Manx Airlines was an English-owned, Isle of Man-based airline that existed between 1982 and 2002. Its head office was located on the grounds of Isle of Man Airport in Ballasalla, Malew. An airline of the same name existed between 1947 and 1958.
History
An earlier Manx Airlines existed from 1953 until early 1958, based at Ronaldsway Airport and equipped with De Havilland Dragon Rapides and Douglas C-47 Dakotas. The airline also operated the Bristol Freighter and its aircraft were equipped with passenger modules. It was one of its Bristol Freighters that crashed en route to Manchester See http://www.patricktaylor.com/winter-hill-air-disaster The new Manx Airlines was a joint venture founded by British Midland Airways and AirUK. Services commenced on 1 November 1982 and the first flight was JE601, flown from its base at Isle of Man Airport at Ronaldsway, by its Bandeirante to Glasgow. From 1985 until 1993, the airline employed the Shorts 360 and the Shorts 330. A Vickers Viscount 836 was operated from October 1982 until October 1988. Before retirement, the Viscount performed several 'champagne' flights, as it was the last to operate scheduled passenger services in the UK. Manx flew a Saab 340 during 1987–88 and bore "City Hopper" titles when operating the Liverpool-Heathrow shuttle service. In October 1988, the airline collected its first BAe ATP, replacing the Viscount. Manx also flew the BAe 146. Eventually, the airline owned seventeen ATPs. The airline was successful in acquiring Business Air in 1991.
Aircraft operated
Manx Airlines operated the following types of aircraft:
In March 1991, Manx Airlines created Manx Airlines Europe in order to expand and fly routes within the United Kingdom. In 1994, Manx Airlines Europe became a franchise carrier for British Airways, its fleet flying in the colours of British Airways. In September 1996, Manx Airlines Europe changed its name to British Regional Airlines. In March 2001, British Airways purchased the British Regional Airlines Group for £78 million. The airline merged with Brymon Airways to create British Airways CitiExpress. Manx Airlines ceased operations on 31 August 2002. Between March 1999 and the date of closure, the fleet was as follows:
Type
Number
BAe 146
1
BAe ATP
3
Jetstream 41
1
The last flight was planned to be flown by BAe 146 G-MIMA, from London to Isle of Man Airport. However, due to technical problems, a sub-chartered aircraft was brought in to operate this service. Therefore, the honour of operating the last Manx Airlines flight went to Manx-born pilot CaptainPaul Quine, who was in command of ATP G-MANB, which landed at Ronaldsway at 20:10 GMT on Saturday, 31 August 2002.
