Some of the restrictions on air traffic control at the airport could be eased next month.

There has been regular disruption of flights into and out of Ronaldsway since last month when the runway has been closed five times a day in response to a shortage of trained air traffic controllers.

The Council of Ministers met with airport director Gary Cobb on Thursdy to seek more reassurances over how the situation can be resolved.

It was established that the long term strategic approach is now to have in place 18 fully qualified air traffic controllers in the next three years – compared to the 14 currently employed, with nine operational – to provide added resilience to air services.

In the short term, there is growing confidence that some of the closure times for air traffic control to accommodate mandatory rest breaks could be lifted in August.

A training and examination programme is underway for new recruits and this will continue for the next 18 months to bring more fully qualified air traffic control staff onto the roster.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK said: ‘This has been a difficult time for travellers and businesses. We are working as hard as possible to get air traffic control properly resourced and the long term plan includes additional investment in staff to bring extra resilience to air services at Ronaldsway.’

Infrastructure Minister Chris Thomas added: ‘I am grateful for the commitment shown by our air traffic controllers to get more staff trained and operational as soon as possible, alongside innovation in the tower. I am hoping that our short term plans will see many restrictions eased in August.’