There will be more flights transferring patients from the Isle of Man to hospitals in the North West of England from next month.
The Department of Health has announced a dedicated service with manx2.com, beginning on Monday, January 12.
A 19-seater Dornier 228 aircraft (pictured) will take patients to Chester airport, with the flights being offered in addition to the existing FlyBe services.
Health Minister Eddie Teare says it's all about convenience for the people involved:
He told Manx Radio:
"manx2.com have an exclusive user agreement with Chester Airport and this is a charter service at the moment.
"The airport isn't available for general passenger traffic, although the equipment in terms of avionics is certainly up to the mark.
"We feel that by using this airport, especially for patients who are going for onward treatment in the Wirral - Clatterbridge etc. - that will certainly reduce the travelling time for them, and make it much easier."
(More on Wednesday's Mandate).
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