Saturday, December 21, 2024
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HistoryRonaldsway really came to be in 1934 when Captain Olley set up Isle of Man Air Services Ltd. The new company secured landing right for Ronaldsway and were soon managing the limited facilities there. Yet this was just the beginning as the small airfield at Ronaldsway looked to become the island's National Airport.In 1935 work began to clear away the 88 acre site. During the work an ancient historical site was uncovered and the Manx Museum was called in to deal with the artifacts. Soon after basic runways were completed and available for flights. By 1936 the hanger was enlarged and various building appeared about the site, including a booking office and wooden terminal building as passengers numbers reached 8,000. The next year Ronaldsway Airport saw the installation of a wireless station for its aircrafts. Passenger numbers rose to 12,000 and considering most aircraft seating capacity was 8 to 14, Ronaldsway had become fairly busy. Carriers included West Coast, the new Manx Airlines, and Aer Lingus Teoranta. Ronaldsway was now receiving flights from Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool, Leeds, Carlisle, Glasgow, and Dublin. The airport land was on lease from the Ronaldsway Estate, after the death of the owner the trustees granted a 12 year lease of the land at £220 a year with optional airfield extension rights for 150 acres. Grazing rights were retained by the owner. This often meant sheep were let out to graze at night and had to be rounded up in the morning before services could begin. In 1943, during World War II the UK Government took control of the Ronaldsway Estate and other houses and cottages nearby by compulsory purchase under the UK Defence of the Realm Acts. The airport was to become a Royal Navy Air Station. Long runways were made and covered with gravel and tarmac. A three story control tower built and many new hangers erected. As the war time passed, Ronaldsway was eventually sold to the Manx Government from the UK Government at the price of 200,000 pounds. Normal flights and air services continued and Ronaldsway's future looked bright. LocationRonaldsway Airport is in the south of the island, between Ballasalla and Castletown.By Vehicle: Travel to the airport along the A5, where it is located between Ballasalla and Castletown. By Bus: Plan your journey with our Bus and Rail Timetables. By Railway: The airport can be reached by the taking the Electric Railway to Douglas and then the Steam Railway to the Ronaldsway stop. Along the Steam Railway only, take the Ronaldsway stop between Castletown and Ballasalla. It is a walk from the Ronaldsway stop to the airport. Not recommended for those with heavy baggage. Ronaldsway Airport Ballasalla Isle of Man IM9 2AS Tel. +44 (0) 1624 821600 Travelling To and Using Ronaldsway AirportToday the airport is a modern building serving more then 700,000 passengers a year. The original building from 1952 was rebuilt in the late 1990's to keep up with the increasing demand for air travel. The new building includes standard air travel services as well as a cafe, bar, and newsagent with tourist gifts. There is a large car park which charges a fee for long term parking. Buses and taxis collect right outside the main terminal building. There is also a lane for private car collections.The lifts and an escalator are conveniently placed for the access needs of passengers. Once through into departures there is only a bar and newsagent with tourist gifts, note this fact if you planned on eating something in the cafe. To book a flight please go to Opodo by clicking here.
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