THE airport has now resumed some level of operation with flights beginning to land and take off again.

Ronaldsway was closed on Sunday afternoon until earlier this afternoon after heavy snowfall in the south of the Island.

At least three inches of snow fell over a two hour period – something not seen at the airport in over ten years.

Airport staff worked late into Sunday evening and were back at 3am this morning treating the runway and taxiway surfaces. At 5.30am a decision was taken to keep the airport closed until 12pm today.

 
Airport director Ann Reynolds explained: "The runway and taxiway surfaces were inspected at daylight this morning and the treated areas have far less snow contamination than the surrounding areas.

 
"Whilst we have snow ploughs and will use them on some of the taxiway surfaces we do not generally use them on the runway. Ploughing will cause compaction of the snow, forming ice, which makes the runway surface un-level. Equally we cannot push the snow to just off the sides of the runway as this will form banks of ice – and that's not acceptable for aircraft operations. We have to keep the runway edges level and clear with no obstacles."

Around 80 passengers spent the night in the Ronaldsway Terminal Building including a wedding party. The bride and groom shared their honeymoon night sleeping not only with family and friends but strangers too. Airport staff remained at work to look after the passengers.

Ann continued: "I'd like to thank the airport staff who have worked hard throughout this challenging time. I'd also like to thank the passengers for their patience and understanding at this time and must apologise that whilst the flights show delayed or cancelled on the website this morning we omitted to put an airport statement onto the website.

 
"I understand that whilst messages on the radio regarding the closure were put out from 6am this morning some passengers travelled to the airport to find the airport closed."