The primary radar system at Ronaldsway airport has been taken out of service following a ‘deterioration in performance and reliability’.

Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall told the House of Keys there was no impact on passenger safety as the airport’s other system remained operational.

But he said this, too, is ageing, and requires replacement.

He told MHKs: ‘The primary radar system was taken out of service at the end of November 2025 following a deterioration in performance and reliability.

‘Despite engagement with the manufacturer, these issues could not be resolved, and a decision was subsequently taken to cease operation of the system.

‘The other system remains operational and continues to provide the surveillance capability required to safely manage air traffic.

‘However, it is also an ageing system with increasing obsolescence and limited availability of manufacturer support and spare parts.’

He added: ‘It is important to emphasise that safe air traffic services continue to be provided with no impact on passenger operations.’

The Minister said the radar was bought around 2011.

Mr Crookall said his department has been considering its future radar requirements and this would take into account any potential impact of proposed windfarm developments.

He said the DoI expected to start replacing the radar equipment next year.

Of the performance of the secondary radar system, he said: ‘At the moment, it works, it's good, but it could be a lot better.’

Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse said the price tag for replacing the radar could exceed £10m and suggested that windfarm developers should contribute to the cost.

Mr Crookall replied: ‘I believe that wind farms, if they are built in an area of airports where they’ve got radar issues and there is an update required, are expected to look at paying some sort of contribution towards that.’

The primary and secondary radars were installed as part of the same project but are separate systems.

The primary radar is located near Turkeylands quarry while the secondary radar has sensors all round the island so air traffic control can detect aircraft coming in from all directions.

First of its kind to be used in the British Isles, the £3.2m Leonardo radar system at Ronaldsway was approved by Tynwald in December 2010.

But it only became fully operational in 2017 after the Civil Aviation Authority gave final approval for it to replace the old radar.

The new system had been working alongside the old one for the previous four to five years.

Then DoI Minister Phil Gawne blamed the delay on communications problems with the Italian contractor.

He said at the time that Ronaldsway was unique in the British Isles for having four fully functional radars.

Substantial sums had been recouped from the company for failing to deliver the project and the old primary and secondary radar had been maintained at the expense of the contractor.

This led Mr Gawne to conclude: ‘This is probably one of the best deals that government has ever struck in terms of requirements on the contract.’