A NEW airline linking Blackpool with the Isle of Man has taken off from Blackpool Airport.
Flykeen, formed by a consortium of North West backers, began flying its seven-days-a-week service to the Isle of Man from the airport at Squires Gate on Friday.
The new company has been formed by three North West backers. Blackpool Helicentre, which has operated successfully from Blackpool Airport for 12 years, joined with former merchant banker and current Blackpool FC director Peter Whitehead and Liverpool-based company Keenair to launch the airline.
Flykeen is currently flying a twin-engined Bandeirante aircraft on its Isle of Man route.
But the company is understood to be planning an expansion to the service, including flights to Belfast and the introduction of a bigger aircraft to allow more passengers to travel.
Garry Eastwood, managing director of Blackpool Airport, said he looked forward to the planned expansion.
"The air link to the island goes back many years and it is a service that is extremely valuable to a large number of travellers," he said.
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