Manx2 cancels route after air crash

Manx2 has ended its service between Belfast and Cork just over a fortnight after one of its flights crashed killing six people.

The company said it had carried out a review following the February 10 tragedy and would only continue to operate the route for the another two weeks.

Six died and six others were injured when the Manx2 plane crashed on landing at Cork Airport in thick fog.

The victims included Brendan McAleese, 39, a Co Tyrone businessman and a cousin of Dr Martin McAleese, husband of President Mary McAleese.

Pat Cullinan, 45, a partner in leading accountancy firm KPMG in Belfast, also died along with Spanish pilot Jordi Sola Lopez, 31; co-pilot Andrew Cantle, 27, from York; 49-year-old businessman Richard Noble, who was originally from Derbyshire but lived in the North, and Captain Michael Evans, 51, deputy harbour master in Belfast.

A preliminary report from air accident investigators is expected in early March.

It is believed the plane touched down and a wing clipped the runway before the craft flipped over and landed on grass catching fire.

Lawyers for one of the survivors, father-of-three Mark Dickens, from Kent, have accused Manx2 of reneging on its responsibilities after the airline claimed a lawsuit for damages should be taken against the Spanish operators, Flightline BCN. The aircraft was owned by Airlada.

Online business Manx2 is known as a virtual airline, with the company insisting it is like a booking office or ticket provider. It sells seats on a plane but the craft is owned and operated separately.

The 19-year-old Fairchild Metroliner aircraft had undergone a full maintenance check the week before the accident.

Manx2 said it would give full refunds to anyone booked to travel the route from March 14 on.

All other flights including from Belfast to Blackpool, Isle of Man and Anglesey will continue as scheduled, the company said.