New survey reveals growing frustration with Island travel costs and reliability
Travellers heading to and from the Isle of Man are increasingly frustrated with their options. A new survey has revealed that less than 20% of Island residents feel satisfied with the cost, reliability, and choice of air and sea travel services — a significant decline since 2019.
Research by Island Global Research (IGR) surveyed 756 Isle of Man residents, alongside participants from Jersey and Guernsey. The findings paint a concerning picture: only one in five people feel confident that future travel links will meet the needs of residents, tourists, and businesses alike. The drop in satisfaction across all aspects of off-Island connectivity has been notable over the past seven years.
Travel costs remain a major sticking point for islanders. While Isle of Man Airport acknowledges that pricing is closely linked to wider economic factors, the perception of expensive journeys continues to deter both leisure and business travellers. The airport also notes residual impacts from aviation sector challenges experienced in 2023.
Despite public concerns, the airport insists performance has genuinely improved. In 2025, only 2% of flights were cancelled compared with 6% in 2023, while on-time performance rose from 69% to 78%. During summer 2024, Isle of Man Airport ranked third out of 25 UK and British Isles airports for punctuality. However, officials acknowledge that expanding routes and improving connectivity remain priorities.
Isle of Man Steam Packet has responded to the survey with concrete action plans. The company carried 682,097 passengers in 2025 — an 8.2% increase on the previous year — and is rolling out a strategic pricing initiative to make ferry travel more affordable. New routes, updated schedules, and investment in a dedicated Liverpool ferry are all underway, with over 4,000 residents already providing input on the new vessel.
As both transport operators work to rebuild confidence, the message is clear: getting to and from the Isle of Man is changing, but faster progress is needed to satisfy the travelling public.
Source: Read full article on ManxRadio