As a direct result of the anti-terrorist operations conducted by police in the UK this morning, security measures at all airports have been increased and additional security measures have been applied to all domestic and international flights, including all flights to and from Ronaldsway Airport.

The Department of Transport Airport Division has been in close contact with the UK Department for Transport with regard to the implementation of these additional security measures. It also followed strict guidelines in respect of release of information following such a significant security alert.

The Department has worked closely with its airline partners to ensure any disruption at Ronaldsway is kept to an absolute minimum. Despite these new security measures, passengers leaving Ronaldsway this morning did not experience any disruption or delay, however the Department is anticipating some delays to incoming flights, which will inevitably have a knock on effect on the arrival times of later flights.

The UK Department for Transport has provided the following advice to passengers:

All cabin baggage must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports.

Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, ONLY the following items. Nothing may be carried in pockets:

Pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags));

Travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and tickets);

Prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (e.g. diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic;

Spectacles and sunglass, without cases;
Contact lens holders, without bottles of solution;

For those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, cream and nappy disposal bags);

Female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (e.g. tampons, pads, towels and wipes);

Tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs;

Keys (but no electrical key fobs).

All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all items they are carrying must be x-ray screened. Pushchairs and walking aids must be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.

There are no changes to current hold baggage security measures.

If members of the public have any questions regarding security that are not answered by the advice given above they should call the Airport Information Desk on 821600. Any questions regarding confirmation of flight times should be addressed to the airline concerned.

Phil Braidwood, Minister for the Department of Transport comments, “The Department wishes to thank passengers for their cooperation and understanding whilst these new security measures are in operation. We also apologise in advance for the unavoidable delays caused by the current alert.”

“I am sure that our passengers will appreciate why we must follow UK guidelines. Our security procedures at Ronaldsway must continue to be rigorous and robust, implemented as efficiently as possible so our passengers do not experience any unnecessary delay.”

The acting Ronaldsway Airport Director, Paul Clarkson, says, currently, it is not having too much effect on Ronaldsways operation