Air traffic control break runway closures ease

Daily runway closures at the Isle of Man Airport are being eased as a result of the ongoing training of new air traffic controllers.

First introduced in summer 2023, the restrictions came into force to allow Air Traffic Controllers to meet their minimum rest break requirements in response to staff shortages.

Airport bosses said the rise in available staffing meant a "significant number" of the current two 35-minute closures at 08:30 and 11:00 BST "would no longer be necessary".

While some closures would "still happen", they would "mostly" be when during periods when no flights were scheduled, airport bosses said.

Airlines would be made aware of the timings which would be updated each month and were "tactical to a fluid schedule".

The reduction in aerodrome closures has been made possible due to the ongoing training of air traffic controllers, which has meant the airport could adjust staffing rosters.

There are currently 15 staff in Air Traffic Control, which includes members who are fully and partially trained, as well as students.

An upgrade of two security machines at the facility to meet standards set by the UK Department for Transport has also begun.

Work on the first replacement machine would be paused during the TT period to "minimise disruption", with the second due to take place after racing fortnight.

The move would mean that only one scanner would be operational at a time meaning longer queues for passengers going to departures.

However, airport bosses said additional staff would be on site to "manage passenger flow".

An airport spokeswoman said although the work had originally been planned to take place during the quieter winter period, supply chain issues "affecting the availability of critical parts" meant it was necessary to complete the project during the summer.

The "more advanced" C3 scanners, which allow passengers to leave liquids and electrics in their bags during security checks, were not being installed as their size would "require major terminal redevelopment, which is not currently viable", she said.

UK authorities had "not mandated the use of C3 technology at this time", so while future upgrades were planned it was "not currently a requirement", she added.

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