Isle of Man Ronaldsway airport (ICAO: EGNS) is the only active airport of the British crown-dependent Isle of Man (Mann). Loganair and Easyjet currently connect the island with London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham. For Loganair, flights are mainly operated by AT45s and AT76s, however the E145s also makes some rare appearances. Aer Lingus connects Ireland with daily flights from Dublin and Belfast, operated by AT76s. The only freighter movement is a daily West Atlantic connection with EMA operated by AT72.

The airport presents a single terminal, with large windows facing the apron and the taxiway/main runway. Photo opportunities are possible both before and after security control, as the windows are clean and clear. Upgraded in 2008 together with the runway, there are currently no further development plans. In 2022, it saw over 500.000 passengers, slowly returning to pre-covid numbers.

The airport was built in 1928, with passenger connections to the United Kingdom starting in 1933. Throughout the Second World War, the field acted first as a RAF base, and later as an air station for the Royal Navy (RNAS). Following the war, the airport returned to serve as civilian link to the mainland, with flights also operated by the local “”Manx airlines””. An extensive collection on the military and civilian history of the airport can be found in the Manx Aviation and Military museum, which is a free-entry exhibition. The Museum features an Emb110 and a Bae ATP of the now-defunct Manx Airlines, however the aircrafts are only accessible during opening hours.

Written by Tommaso Dal Maso . Last Update: August 2023

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
08/26	2,110 m (6,923 ft) – Asphalt
03/21	1,199 m (3,934 ft) – Asphalt
Terminals	One terminal handling all operations
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not recommended.
Car/Public Transport	A car can be helpful to reach the spots, with public transport being almost absent aound the airport. The Vanin buses connect regularly the airport with Douglas, Castletown and Port Erin. Walking to locations is possible, also offering a scenic landscape.
Drinks/Food	There is nothing near the indicated spots.
Hotels	A real “spotting” hotel doesn’t exists. The closest hotel is Sefton Express. More hotels and airbnbs can be found in Castletown and Douglas.
Season	There is no preferred season as the weather is not reliably predictable in advance. Summer offers multiple spotting angles and opportunities as days are longer, allowing the spots north of the airport to be used. Last minute trips are possible as flights are cheap year-round (~20£).
Security	Spotting is generally not an issue with security, but it is also not that common. Especially if in use of a ladder, be prepared to be approached.
Runway Usage
General Info	The main runway (08/26) is always used by scheduled passenger fights. The secondary runway is used for general aviation and lighter aircrafts when the wind is not favourable.
08/26	Longest runway and in use for all major movements. Direction entirely depends on wind direction.
03/21	Used for light movements in strong weather conditions.

	Spot #1 – Terminal – Ramp movements
WHERE	Facing the entrance to the terminal, walk towards the left following the fence. Pick any spot that gives you vision over the apron. Cars can be parked at the airport parking.
WHAT	Here the whole East ramp can be seen, where the freighter ATR is always parked and can be photographed clear of obstructions. Other movements can also be seen as they taxi around the ramp to park near the terminal.
TIME	From 16.00 until sunset for parked aircrafts. Not usable during Winter months.
MISC.	There is nothing here. A ladder can be useful, but the fence has large spaces where a small focal lens easily fits.
FOCAL LENGTH	AT72 parked: 55/70mm (Based on fence size)

IOM-Spot1

IOM-Spot1

	Spot #2 – Registry office – General aviation apron
WHERE	Facing the entrance to the terminal, walk right and cross the staff parking. From the slope or at the fence you can find your desired spot. You have to park at the airport parking since the closest one is only for staff workers.
WHAT	From here the general aviation apron is visible, often with some aircrafts parked outside the hangar
TIME	From 18.00 until sunset, only during Summer.
MISC.	There is nothing here. A ladder can be useful, but the fence has large spaces where a small focal lens easily fits.
FOCAL LENGTH	PC-12: 35mm

IOM-Spot2

	Spot #3 – Café Bar Two Six – 26 movements
WHERE	The spot itself is on the parking lot of the “Café Bar Two Six”, named after the runway 26, which is next to it. To reach it you have to drive all the way around the airport. Follow the sings to Derbyhaven and from their drive all the way up on Airport Rd, along the waterfront until the café. From the parking space you can easily watch the traffic. The fence is very low and a ladder isn’t necessary.
WHAT	From here you can see all movements on runway 26 and its taxiway. Large aircrafts landing on runway 08 can also be seen vacating the runway and taxiing back to terminal. There is a Bae ATP from West Atlantic visible from this spot.
TIME	In the summer months from around 09:00 until afternoon. In winter all day long.
MISC.	Access to the location is possible all day long. Please support the Café and order something. You can get a drinks, breakfast, brunch and much more. Check google maps or Facebook for the opening hours as there isn’t a website.
FOCAL LENGTH	A319 = 70mm; Dash8 = 100mm

IOM-Spot3

IOM-Spot3

	Spot #4 – Brambles – 26 movements
WHERE	The spot is located in front of an entrance gate, on a small hill with brambles. To reach the spot, you have to pass through an industrial area (Balthane Road). Remain on the main road as side streets have active business watch CCTV. The spot is located at the left-hand turn of the road. The road sees very little traffic and there is a large opening where to leave the car right nearby the gate. On foot, you can walk from the terminal (30min). Additionally, you can get closer to the runway end by continue to walk and turning right at the quarry, where a public footpath leads all the way to the other side of the runway.
WHAT	From here you can see all movements on runway 26 and its taxiway. Large aircrafts landing on runway 08 can also be seen vacating the runway and taxiing back to terminal. There is a Bae ATP from West Atlantic visible from this spot.
TIME	From sunrise until 7.30 and from 18.00 to sunset. Summer only.
MISC.	Ladder is not needed as a slight incline allows the fence to be completely outside of photos. There is nothing nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	AT76: 180mm, A320: 130mm

IOM-Spot4

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IOM-Spot4