Ronaldsway Airport: Flights cancelled due to lack of aircraft de-icing fluid
20-Dec-2010 Ronaldsway Airport Management were informed at shortly after one pm today, that the handling agent who carry out the aircraft de-icing had run out of fluid, due to the non-appearance of a further delivery expected on the ferry this morning.
Whilst the Department of Infrastructure is responsible for the runway and airport de-icing, the aircraft de-icing falls to the handling agent for the Airlines as a core role. It was explained to the Airport Director by Airbase Flight Support Limited (AFSL), the handling agent at Ronaldsway, that an order was placed with the supplier on Friday with the expectation the delivery would set off on Saturday morning and be arriving at Ronaldsway at six am today.
The handling agent had sufficient supplies for the first wave of flights this morning and the new supplies would have comfortably accommodated several days' worth of services.
Ann Reynolds, Airport Director, said "whilst the Airport opened at half past eight this morning and will stay open for the remainder of the day, several of our operators, given the current and expected temperatures, have cancelled operations for today. AFSL are trying to source alternative supplies whilst also asking their original supplier the location of the expected delivery".
Ann went on "AFSL have informed me that they have used around a normal winter month's supply of de-icing fluid in the last 48 hours alone. They very sincerely regret the situation, caused due to the extreme weather conditions across in the UK however the Airport will try and keep the public appraised as the position progresses. As soon as there is further information from AFSL there will be a further statement".