Big increase in traffic at Ronaldsway in December

Wed, 11 Jan 2012

Disruption to recent sailings and poor weather in 2010 meant there was a big jump in the number of people using Ronaldsway last month.

The Isle of Man Airport recorded a 16.8% increase in passengers in December, compared to the same month the previous year.

Airport bosses are putting the figures down to the windiest December on record causing problems for the boats, and icy conditions the year before leading to the airport being closed on a number of days.

13 of the 18 scheduled routes recorded an increase in passengers.

Over the course of 2011, 710,791 people travelled through the airport, which is 4% more than in 2010.

After a disappointing start to the year, airport chiefs say the figures for 2011 are close to their forecast and that domestic air travel is enduring despite tough economic times.