With air traffic figures showing a decline of 9%, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is pleased with the harbour traffic figures for January 2009, which show a 2.9% increase for passengers and a 2.2% increase for vehicles when compared with January 2008.
At a time when the Company is having to contend with the impact of global economic conditions along with an Office of Fair Trading investigation, the re-forming of the Tynwald Select Committee and the resultant media interest, it is reassuring to note that passengers are voting with their feet and are choosing to take advantage of the Company’s “very competitive” passenger fares as described by the Select Committee in its report of November 2008.
The Company notes that while these figures are encouraging, 2009 will be a challenging year and it will be closely monitoring booking levels as the year progresses.
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Chief Executive, Mark Woodward, said: “I am delighted with these figures which provide some reassurance that, despite continued bad news in the wider economy and at a time when the Company is being subjected to increased scrutiny, passengers are continuing to take advantage of our very competitive fares.”
