THE original control tower at Ronaldsway Airport was taken out of use in June after 66 years of unbroken service.

In its time it handled around two million aircraft movements and safely controlled the flights of an estimated 30 million passengers.

The tower acted as a key radio station during the early post war resurgence of civil air traffic and also acted as the home of the Ronaldsway Meteorological Office.

However it was not a smooth transition between old and new after the volcanic ash delayed the new towers inauguration.

The UK based team who were supposed to be bringing the tower online had their travel plans disrupted by the ash cloud.

Update: A new airport radar will cost £3.46 million pounds. Click here for more information.