Island supports 'awful lot of people' stranded at the airport

Close to 300 passengers needed help after weather disrupted flights

Close to 300 passengers were stranded at Ronaldsway Airport yesterday (1 June) after fog cancelled a number of outbound flights. 

Visit Isle of Man, the Isle of Man Airport and Civil Defence worked to find accommodation, or alternative travel arrangements, for the affected people. 

By the end of the night more than 100 people were transferred to Steam Packet sailings, others were taken in by residents, hotel bookings were made and 25 others stayed at the airport overnight.

Jane Kelly is the emergency planning officer at Civil Defence:

She told Manx Radio that at any other time of the year there would be several options for accommodation when visitors are impacted by such travel disruption but, during TT, options are limited.

It's only 'a small contribution'

Ballasalla resident Martin Critchley was one of those who offered to help.

He says he was on his way home when he saw a social media appeal for help and immediately called to assist adding his act of kindness was only 'a small contribution':

'Duke Village'

The call for assistance on social media was made by Duke Travel employee Kirsty Dencheva. 

In a statement to Manx Radio she said she, and her colleague Freya Cameron, was stationed at the airport to welcome guests and stepped in to assist airport staff when they realised 300 people were about to be left stranded. 

She added: "Freya and I helped airport staff pass details of possible accommodation to as many people as possible as well as signposting the option of the 10pm Liverpool ferry which many went for. 

"Behind the scenes we were supported by our office staff, answering call after call late into the night, and the Duke Village who freed up emergency cabins as well as our drivers who took as many people back to Douglas as they could. 

"However there just wasn't enough accommodation!

"We put up a post on the TT & MGP Helpline page and were inundated with offers of help for people who didn't want to stay overnight in the airport which was the plan. 

"We helped connect people, make phone calls, and ensure they had some options.

"We also had many locals actually come and collect travellers to take them to their homes and offer return lifts in the morning, which was just incredible and meant that in spite of all the hassle, people left feeling taken care of and relieved. 

"By 10pm there were around 34 people left at the airport who I think were committed to staying as Civil Defence had emergency camp beds brought in for them. 

"I think we just did what anyone else would have done under the circumstances.

"There were many people involved in the help effort and we all just tried to make the best of a bad situation. That's TT!"