A lack of winter flights to Gatwick will affect both Isle of Man residents and visitors, according to a pressure group.

TravelWatch has welcomed extra flights to London by BA and EasyJet during the busy TT period but highlights the fact that over the winter period there will be 11 Saturdays without any Gatwick service.

TravelWatch aviation spokesman Terry Liddiard said it was 'disappointing', adding: 'There is real concern that this lack of EasyJet flights on a Saturday will impact both on visitors to the Island and on residents going on winter holidays, and we hope that the government will be able to persuade them to reconsider this.'

Mr Liddiard said he was relieved to see that British Airways had responded to EasyJet's decision to withdraw Saturday Gatwick flights during the peak summer months by providing an extra rotation. There will now be two Saturday flights by BA to London City on Saturdays from July 5 to September 6.

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