As one who likes an occasional trip to Ellan Vannin, I was glad when Eastern stepped in to preserve the Newcastle flight vacated by Citywing, but I was concerned that Eastern would lack the staying power with the low passenger numbers. If they have found a way to preserve the route by routing it via Belfast, so be it. It's quicker than traipsing to Liverpool or Heysham and taking the ferry (as nice as the ferry journey is!)