Airport Issues Could Ease in August

DoI Minister Chris Thomas says he is ‘confident’ that many restrictions at Ronaldsway could be eased in August.

CoMin met with airport director Gary Cobb as they try to resolve the shortage of air traffic controllers at Ronaldsway Airport.

The Council of Ministers established with the Airport Director that the long term strategic approach is now to have in place 18 fully qualified air traffic controllers in the next three years , compared to the 14 currently employed, with nine operational.

In the short term, the gov claims there is growing confidence that some of the closure times for air traffic control to accommodate mandatory rest breaks could be lifted as early as August.

Chief Minister, Alf Cannan said: ‘This has been a difficult time for travellers and businesses. We are working as hard as possible to get air traffic control properly resourced and the long term plan includes additional investment in staff to bring extra resilience to air services at Ronaldsway.’

Mr Thomas, added: ‘I am grateful for the commitment shown by our air traffic controllers to get more staff trained and operational as soon as possible, alongside innovation in the tower.  I am hoping that our short term plans will see many restrictions eased in August.’

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On Thursday, 10 of 14 flights out of Ronaldsway were on time, with only the easyJet Gatwick flight cancelled.