from manx radio
Microgaming underwrites BA London City services
Published online at 16/01/2014 18:05:00
It's emerged that an Island e-gaming firm helped secure a deal which will see British Airways increase its flights to the UK capital.
On Wednesday (15 Jan) BA announced it would up its service from one flight on weekdays to three per day from the start of the 2014 summer season, 30 March, to the relief of the Island's business community.
It has since become clear the improved BA CityFlyer London City service has been given financial backing by Microgaming.
The firm's involvement has been confirmed tonight (16 Jan) by business development and promotion organisation Manx Business Connection, which helped broker the agreement.
MBC says the aim is to involve a wide range of Manx companies in the guarantee arrangement - but to secure a quick agreement, Microgaming has provided financial undertakings in the first instance.
Manx Business Connection has described a regular daily flight to London as 'essential' to the growth of business and industry in the Isle of Man -but is warning the Island 'to use it or lose it'.
MBC's Chairman John Webster says the new services must not be taken for granted and if passengers don't use them, BA will reconsider its position and the guarantors may pull out.
When news of the routes were announced on Wednesday, Infrastructure Minister David Cretney said working with the private sector showed the Isle of Man at its best.
In December, he told Tynwald additional flights to London City had been secured from this spring but was not able to say there would be private sector backing, due to a non-disclosure agreement.