Airline retains patient transfer service contract

Loganair will continue provide the Isle of Man's patient transfer services for non-urgent hospital appointments in the UK for next three years, Manx Care has confirmed.

The regional airline already has the current contract for the service, which sees the Manx government arrange air transport to Liverpool for those receiving treatment in the UK.

The health care body's chief executive Teresa Cope said the air links offered "vital connectivity" for residents who need treatment that cannot be given on island.

Loganair chief executive Luke Farajallah said those travelling for health reasons "expect the very best care from their airline and the team was "determined" to deliver it.

The operator took over the service following the collapse of Flybe in 2020, with about 15,000 patient transfer journeys taken each year.

The government has contracts with several hospitals, predominantly in the North West of England, which deliver specialist treatment not available on the island, such as transplants, burn care and specialised cancer treatment.

The contract, which was awarded after a tender process, involves a minimum daily return service from Monday to Friday, providing flights mainly to and from Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Ms Cope said the flights were important "lifeline flights" for the Manx community allowing "access vital UK services for specialist medical appointments that cannot be delivered locally on-island".

Mr Farajallah said the airline was "deeply committed to the Isle of Man, its people, and their wellbeing".

It aimed to ensure that "reliable and dependable flight options" were "always available to those who need it most", he added.

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