Manx2 is set to take the Manx message into Ireland; stimulating commerce and tourism in Ireland as it launches flights between Cork and Galway from July.

Designed to reconnect Cork, Ireland’s second largest city, with Galway in the heart of the west, Manx2.com will operate 14 flights a week between the cities.

The flights are set to improve connectivity between Cork and Kerry and the West of Ireland by reducing travel times from three hours to just 40 minutes.

From Friday, July 1, two return flights will operate every week day with a late flight on Friday night and Sunday nights at 8pm, as well as 4.50pm departures.

The news of the launch - the first of Manx2’s expansion plans into Ireland - is seen as a huge boost for business, tourism and leisure in Cork and Kerry.

Chairman Noel Hayes said: ‘We have great confidence in the long term future for the Irish economy and are delighted to bring our award-winning Manx service to communities throughout the south and west of Ireland. With 14 flights per week we are improving connectivity between the Cork and Kerry and bringing the many attractions of Galway and the west within easy reach and, in turn, we are hoping to stimulate commerce and tourism in both these regions.

‘I hold the view that as long as the Isle of Man Government sticks blindly to an open skies policy, with no controls of any form, the Island's air strategy will be determined largely by what FlyBe, Aer Arann and EasyJet decide to do with their aircraft. The Isle of Man is therefore unable to implement a cohesive, long term strategic plan as it has no control over what these airlines do.

'For the foreseeable future we’ll now be looking to take the Manx message into new markets and bring profits back to the Island’s treasury’.

Pictured (left to right) are: Tony Gibson, aerodrome manager Galway Airport; Michael Moloney, marketing manager Galway Airport; Tom McHugh, Mayor of County Galway; Noel Hayes, chairman of Manx2.com; Dylan Evans, operations manager Manx2.com; Declan McDonnell, Mayor of the City of Galway & Galway Airport board member; Fiona Monaghan, general manager Failte Ireland West and Joe Walsh, managing director Galway Airport