Use of Ronaldsway for training by Saudi Airforce pilots has been condemned - and branded ’highly disturbing’ by one charity raising funds for humanitarian aid in Yemen.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed in a letter to the Celtic League that Manx air space is used by personnel at the RAF Valley airbase on Anglesey in Wales.

It states that international trainee pilots use the airport and others to practise ’visual approaches and departures’ with their British colleagues.

The Celtic League has called on the Manx government to end the use of Ronaldsway for the training of Saudi military pilots in RAF Hawk trainer jets, given the conflict in Yemen.

Spokesman Bernard Moffatt said it had no economic value to the island and indeed may pose a security risk.

’Morally it is indefensible that air crews that may have then gone on to target homes, schools, hospitals and markets in Yemen killing and maiming innocent men, women and children were (and are) facilitated by our government,’ he said.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle insists it is a matter for the UK government.

Chairman of the One World Centre Phil Craine said: ’I think this revelation is highly disturbing. To think that Saudi pilots can be training one day down at Ronaldsway and the following week putting that training into practice by dropping bombs on innocent Yemeni civilians. The war crimes are well documented by the UN, schools, hospitals and civilians being hit in great numbers as collateral damage by the Royal Saudi Airforce.’

He accepted the Chief Minister is in a ’difficult position’ to take action, but says at the very least a government statement or Tynwald resolution could be put together voicing concern.

The Manx Government had contributed more than £190,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee Yemen Appeal, but Mr Craine said: ’Yes emergency relief aid is welcome, but we have to do all in our power to prevent the suffering in the first place.

’I can understand why we have to train our allies but I think what’s going on in Yemen leaves a very bitter taste in the mouth that Ronaldsway is being used by the RAF to train Saudi pilots.

’The One World Centre has been on the streets in five Manx towns in recent months to gather donations for the humanitarian side but it rubs salt into the wounds to find Ronaldsway airport is being used to prolong the war.’

In his letter to the Celtic League, the Chief Minister described the ongoing civil war in Yemen and resulting loss of life and destruction as ’very sad’. He wrote: ’The airport accepts aircraft for training from all types of aircraft operator including military aircraft.

Fees

’Training flights do attract fees, and this is normally around 25% of a full landing fee for each "touch and go" approach. Whether the pilots belong to the RAF or the air force of another country training with the RAF is not part of the information provided to the airport when a training flight is arranged. Even if such information was provided it could prove to be contrary to the Equality Act.

’The UK is constitutionally responsible for the island’s defence and international relations. The relationship with Saudi Arabia is therefore a matter for the UK Government.’