Manx2

Manx2 was launched on 11 May 2006, with services starting on 15 July. Its chairman was Noel Hayes. 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.vanair.org/index-Dateien/page0008.htm |title=VAN AIR Europe a.s. – Let 410 Pictures |publisher=Vanair.org |accessdate=2011-12-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402100408/http://www.vanair.org/index-Dateien/page0008.htm |archivedate=2 April 2012 }} 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{{cite web |url=http://www.vanair.org/index-Dateien/page0007.htm |title=VAN AIR Europe a.s. – Let 410 Specification |publisher=Vanair.org |accessdate=2011-12-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402100540/http://www.vanair.org/index-Dateien/page0007.htm |archivedate=2 April 2012 }} turboprop Let L-410 aircraft from European operator VanAir Europe.{{cite web|url=http://www.vanair.org/ |title=VAN AIR Europe a.s. – Contact |publisher=Vanair.org |accessdate=2011-12-30}}

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,{{cite web |url=http://www.blackpoolinternational.com/airport-facilities/car-parking.php |title=Airport Facilities – UK and European destinations with both charter and scheduled flights |publisher=Blackpool International |accessdate=2011-12-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119121851/http://www.blackpoolinternational.com/airport-facilities/car-parking.php |archivedate=19 January 2012 }} while the Belfast City flights surpassed the former Island flag carrier's numbers.{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.im/transport/airport/ViewNews.gov?menuid=18319&page=lib/news/transport/airport/trendcontinueswi.xml |title=Trend continues with Airport passenger numbers 4.8% down – Isle of Man Airport Website |publisher=Gov.im |accessdate=2011-12-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012054601/http://www.gov.im/transport/airport/ViewNews.gov?menuid=18319&page=lib%2Fnews%2Ftransport%2Fairport%2Ftrendcontinueswi.xml |archivedate=12 October 2012 }} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.airkiosk.com/cgi-bin/airkiosk/display_ssim?NM |title=Manx2 Timetable |publisher=Airkiosk.com |date=2011-12-26 |accessdate=2011-12-30}} The Gloucestershire route operated every weekday morning{{cite web | url=http://www.gloucestershireairport.co.uk/Airport_Info_Pack.pdf | title=Gloucestershire Airport Information Pack | date=January 2012 | publisher=Gloucestershire Airport | accessdate=11 March 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309033220/http://www.gloucestershireairport.co.uk/Airport_Info_Pack.pdf | archive-date=9 March 2012 | url-status=dead }} In August 2009 a new route was started{{cite web|url=http://www.isleofman.com/News/article.aspx?article=18367 |title=Manx2 Steps in to 'Save' Newcastle Link | Newsroom |publisher=Isleofman.com |date=2009-08-06 |accessdate=2011-12-30}} to Newcastle upon Tyne, and in May 2010 the company{{cite web|url=http://airportwatch.org.uk/news/detail.php?art_id=841 |title=Cardiff Airport |publisher=AirportWatch |accessdate=2011-12-30}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.tbicardiffairport.com/en/news/1/51/manx2com-wins-wales-air-link-contract.html |title=Manx2.com wins Wales Air Link contract – Cardiff Airport |publisher=Tbicardiffairport.com |date=2010-12-03 |accessdate=2011-12-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114125709/http://www.tbicardiffairport.com/en/news/1/51/manx2com-wins-wales-air-link-contract.html |archivedate=14 January 2011 }}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.aircharterguide.com/Operator_Info/FLIGHTLINE/660/BARCELONA/716 |title=Flightline |publisher=Aircharterguide.com |accessdate=2011-12-30}} and Manx2 ceased its leasing arrangement with Flightline BCN.{{cite web|url=http://www.isleofman.com/News/article.aspx?article=33369|title=Flightline BCN no longer operating flights for Manx2 following crash – Isle of Man News :: isleofman.com|last=isleofman.com|accessdate=20 February 2017}} Manx2 subsequently exited the domestic Irish market, cancelling its seasonal Belfast – Galway service.

Services between Belfast City and Isle of Man were increased,{{cite web |url=http://www.ifcfeed.com/isle-of-man-articles/Manx2com-to-launch-new-Belfast-timetable.aspx |title=Isle of Man – Manx2.com to launch new Belfast timetable |publisher=IFC Feed |date=2011-07-04 |accessdate=2011-12-30 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327035723/http://www.ifcfeed.com/isle-of-man-articles/Manx2com-to-launch-new-Belfast-timetable.aspx |archivedate=27 March 2012 }} and through Services to Gloucester (Staverton) from Belfast City were launched.{{cite web | url=http://www.gloucestershireairport.co.uk/PR/Press_release_Belfast_route.pdf | date=25 August 2011 | title=Take off to Belfast from Gloucestershire Airport | publisher=Gloucestershire Airport | accessdate=11 March 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402100551/http://www.gloucestershireairport.co.uk/PR/Press_release_Belfast_route.pdf | archive-date=2 April 2012 | url-status=dead }} The company also operated seasonal services between Isle of Man and Anglesey (Valley) Airport.{{cite web |url=http://www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-GB/by_air-188.aspx |title=By air |publisher=Visitanglesey.co.uk |accessdate=2011-12-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118163656/http://www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-GB/by_air-188.aspx |archivedate=18 January 2012 }} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.citywingnews.com/management-buy-out-at-manx2-com/|title=Management buy-out at Manx2.com – Citywing News|accessdate=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923204356/http://www.citywingnews.com/management-buy-out-at-manx2-com/|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=usurped}} Manx2's last flight took place on 31 December 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.citywingnews.com/citywing-takes-to-the-skies/|title=Citywing takes to the skies – Citywing News|accessdate=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923204354/http://www.citywingnews.com/citywing-takes-to-the-skies/|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=usurped}} From 1 January 2013, all flights were transferred to Citywing.{{cite web |url=http://www.manx2blog.com/2012/11/management-buy-out-at-manx2-com/ |title=Manx2 : Flights from the Isle of Man to Blackpool, Belfast, Leeds , Gloucester (M5), Jersey, East Midlands and Newcastle |accessdate=2012-11-25 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127225527/http://www.manx2blog.com/2012/11/management-buy-out-at-manx2-com/ |archivedate=27 November 2012 }}

• Isle of Man
• Ronaldsway – Isle of Man Airport (Base and HQ)
• United Kingdom
• Anglesey – Anglesey Airport
• Belfast – George Best Belfast City Airport (Base)
• Blackpool – Blackpool International Airport (Base)
• Cardiff – Cardiff Airport (Base)
• Cheltenham, Gloucester – Gloucestershire Airport (Focus City)
• Leeds/Bradford – Leeds Bradford Airport (suspended from 8 January 2013{{cite web |url=http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/letters/open-skies-study-is-sensible-move-1-5158733 |title=Open Skies study is sensible move – Letters – Isle of Man Today |accessdate=2012-12-09 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20121209012811/http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/letters/open-skies-study-is-sensible-move-1-5158733 |archivedate=9 December 2012 }})
• Newcastle upon Tyne – Newcastle Airport
• Oxford – Oxford Airport (suspended from 8 January 2013)
• Jersey
• Saint Peter – Jersey Airport

File:Manx2plane.jpg 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.

• 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0210/cork.html|title=Six killed in Cork plane crash|publisher=RTÉ |date=10 February 2011|accessdate=20 February 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12427112|title=Cork Airport to resume full service from Saturday|publisher=BBC News |date=11 February 2011|accessdate=20 February 2017}}
• On 26 November 2011, a Manx 2 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.{{Cite web|title=Manx2 plane involved in incident at Blackpool|url=https://www.energyfm.net/cms/news_story_181565.html|access-date=2021-12-07|website=Energy FM}}
• 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.{{cite web |url=http://avherald.com/h?article=44c26035&opt=0 |title=Accident: Linksair JS31 at Isle of Man on Mar 8th 2012, runway excursion, gear collapse |first=Simon |last=Hradecky |work=The Aviation Herald|date=8 March 2012 |accessdate=9 March 2012}} There were no injuries amongst the twelve passengers and two crew.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-17309739 |title=Passenger plane crash-lands at Ronaldsway Airport |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=9 March 2012}}

• List of defunct airlines of the United Kingdom

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Manx2}}

• {{official website|http://www.manx2.com/}}{{Dead link|date=February 2017}}

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Category:Defunct airlines of the Isle of Man

Category:Airlines established in 2006

Category:Airlines disestablished in 2012

Category:2006 establishments in the Isle of Man

Category:2012 disestablishments in the Isle of Man

Category:Defunct airlines of the United Kingdom