After more than 16 years without an external review, the Isle of Man Civil Aviation Administration (IOM CAA) is finally preparing for an independent audit. But as the island’s aviation sector remains under regulatory strain, one question looms large: can a self-selected auditor deliver true accountability?
Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston confirmed the move today in the House of Keys, responding to a question from Jason Moorhouse MHK.
Johnston said:
In May 2025, the UK Department for Transport set out its expectation for the procurement and execution of independent audits covering the safety regulatory functions of the Crown Dependencies and Gibraltar. Following a competitive procurement process, the Isle of Man Civil Aviation Administration has now selected a provider to carry out an audit. Preparations are underway to ensure the audit is completed by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
That statement confirms the audit is coming—but also reveals that the IOM CAA has chosen its own auditor. Is that truly independent oversight?
Industry insiders are asking why wasn’t the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or another impartial body tasked with appointing the auditor? And why has the IOM CAA gone more than a decade and a half without any external review?
Ronaldsway
The announcement comes just days after Michelle Haywood MHK made a statement on Ronaldsway Airport’s regulatory status. She said the airport had been under “special attention” since May 2024, describing it as an improvement from its “on notice” status in 2022.
But that framing omits a critical detail: Ronaldsway was already under special attention before being placed on notice.
The timeline is this:
- November 2019: UK CAA carry out an audit
- December 2019: Ronaldsway placed under special attention
- Early 2022: Escalated to “on notice”
- May 2024: Notice lifted, reverting back to special attention
That means the airport has been under downgraded regulatory status for six years straight. Aviation professionals told Manx.News that Haywood’s statement, while technically accurate, conceals the full picture.
Meanwhile, Air Traffic Control (ATC) was separately placed under special attention in August 2025. Industry experts told Manx.News a Level 1 finding was issued, with a resolution deadline of 1 November 2025. Insiders suggest there’s no realistic chance of meeting that target.
So what will this audit cover?
Will it address the long-running issues at Ronaldsway and the ATC unit?
Will it examine why the IOM CAA failed to initiate audits for 16 years?
And will the findings be made public—or quietly shelved?
With the island’s aviation sector under pressure and public confidence wavering, the credibility of this audit matters more than ever.
But when the regulator chooses its own reviewer, who’s really watching the skies?
More Reading
“Special Attention” is a formal UK CAA oversight status applied to aerodromes or aviation units when safety concerns require enhanced monitoring—but fall short of immediate enforcement.
Here’s what it means in practice:
What Is “Special Attention”?
- Issued by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) when an aerodrome or aviation function shows signs of regulatory non-compliance or operational risk.
- It’s part of the CAA’s internal safety management system and signals that the site requires closer scrutiny than standard oversight.
- It is not a public enforcement action, but it flags concerns that could escalate if unresolved.
What Triggers It?
- Findings from audits or inspections that raise safety or procedural concerns.
- Operational issues like outdated equipment, staffing shortages, or poor change management.
- Failure to meet regulatory expectations, even if not yet breaching formal thresholds.
What Does It Involve?
- Increased frequency of inspections and reporting.
- Direct engagement with CAA inspectors to monitor progress.
- May include corrective action plans, though it does not carry the formal weight of being “on notice” or suspended.
How Is It Different from “On Notice”?
- “Special Attention” is a lower-level alert than “On Notice”.
- “On Notice” is a formal warning that the licence or certification is at risk.
- An aerodrome can move between these statuses depending on performance and compliance.
In Ronaldsway’s case, the airport has been under “Special Attention” since November 2019, was escalated to “On Notice” in early 2022, and reverted back to “Special Attention” in May 2024. That means six years of downgraded regulatory status, despite recent public statements suggesting improvement.
