Only 34 out of 861 flight departure delays this year were caused by air traffic control fatigue breaks at Ronaldsway . Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall gave the figure in a written response to a Tynwald question from Douglas North MHK David Ashford. The airport took the unprecedented step of closing the runway five times a day back in June last year as a result of staff shortages in air traffic control.
Since August, the number of fatigue breaks has reduced from five to two. Hospital ward was shut twice in three months due to staff shortages Island's air traffic controllers are being 'publicly mocked and called out online' When two 'beautiful Flying Fortresses' carrying Americans came to the Isle of Man Moment easyJet pilot tells passengers that airport 'refused' to stay open for flight The airport’s opening hours have also come in for criticism. A pilot told passengers on an easyJet flight from Gatwick this month that it could not take off as Ronaldsway will not open late.
In his Tynwald question, Mr Ashford asked how many incoming flights were delayed or cancelled in the last three months due to ATC breaks or the early closure of the airport. The Minister replied that Ronaldsway’s published closing time is 8.45pm and it had not closed earlier.
He said it had extended beyond this time on 75 days out of 92 in the last three months, with the average closing time of 9.16pm. Mr Crookall said: ‘The airport regularly receives requests from our operators and airlines to e.