Temporary daily closures at Ronaldsway for air traffic controller rest breaks have been “significantly reduced” following new shift arrangements, the DoI Minister has said.
Tim Crookall said the planned 35-minute closures, previously occurring twice daily, are now only needed “where the qualification mix of controllers on duty makes them unavoidable”.
The breaks, required by regulation to prevent controller fatigue, had typically been scheduled between 0800-0835 and 1900-1935.
When both are necessary, the longest uninterrupted period for flight operations between 6am and 8pm is 10 hours and 25 minutes.
Requirement
“The requirement for temporary closures does not apply to other airport operational areas,” Mr Crookall stated.
On days where no breaks are required, the airport operates continuously for up to 14 hours during its published opening times.
Comparing the situation to other UK airports, the Minister noted that while larger hubs like London Heathrow operate 24 hours, Ronaldsway “is not alone in seeing staff shortages in Air Traffic Control having an operational impact”.