Opposition to use of Ronaldsway by Saudi Military

Fri, 24 May 2019

The airfield is often used by training pilots.

The Chairman of Amnesty Isle of Man has condemned the Chief Minister’s stance on the use of Ronaldsway Airport for training by the Saudi military.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed pilots from the Gulf State, based at RAF Valley in Wales, use Manx airspace for ‘non-touchdown’ manoeuvres.

The organisation called on Howard Quayle to ban the Saudi pilots from using Ronaldsway, due to their involvement in the Yemen Civil War.

But the chief minister says the Manx government is powerless to intervene.

Chair of Amnesty IOM, Phil Matthews told Local Democracy Reporter Ewan Gawne the chief minister’s response to the issue was disheartening: