VLM Airlines withdraw Island Route

As i was driving along the promenade this morning on the way to the Energy FM building where I am currently doing some work experience, I thought back to how I meant to write about VLM Airlines and had not got round to it.
I often hear people on the Isle of Man saying -'The Island is great...as long as you can get off it every few weeks' .

I could not agree more with this. However, since the collapse of EuroManx and the subsequent takeover of BA Connect by Fly Be the island's passengers have had to deal with less then reliable services as well as putting up with other issues and complaints with regards to Fly Be, or as a local travel agent recently referred to the airline 'Fly maybe'.

More often than not there are delays on flights both to and from the island on Fly Be's principle routes to the island, Manchester and London Gatwick. If you want to change your ticket you will pay at least £80.00 and if you arrive early you will not be allowed to change on to an earlier flight. - A change from the good old days of Manx Airlines and EuroManx.

A couple of months ago i booked with VLM airlines on their route from the Isle of Man to London City airport which i feel is by far the most convenient airport for accessing the city. The DLR is on your doorstep and there is no messing about with the Gatwick Express. I unfortunately had to change my plans and called VLM to reschedule my flight. I was told they do not fly that route on a Sunday (which was the day i needed to fly) so immediately thought 'Great I'll have to buy a whole new ticket'. However VLM actually apologised to me and offered me either a full refund or to book me on to another flight for no extra charge!! The best was yet to come... 'You can use the ticket up to a year from now' .

Today whilst in the news room at Energy FM a press release came in about 'Another airline withdrawing from the Island' It was VLM. Turns out that after ceasing their London City - IOM routes during the summer months due to the lack of business passengers they realised that it was not worth them resuming the service from September. Whilst Air Arran will still be covering this route it is a great shame and loss to the Manx travellers - both business and pleasure that VLM have pulled out...Will anyone actually realise this or will it be another case of hindsight?