Cancellation of flights

Summary

A request was made to verify easyJet's claim that ground operations were suspended at Isle of Man Airport on 27 January 2026 due to strong winds. The Department of Infrastructure responded by providing detailed METAR weather reports showing wind speeds and conditions during the incident.

Key Facts

• The request concerned an easyJet flight disruption from Isle of Man to London Gatwick on 27 January 2026.
• easyJet attributed the overnight delay to strong winds preventing ground crew from working safely.
• The authority provided raw METAR weather data instead of a direct confirmation of operational suspension.
• Weather reports recorded sustained winds between 29 and 41 knots with gusts up to 54 knots.
• Visibility ranged from 4000 meters to 20000 meters during the reported period.

Data Disclosed

• 27/01/26
• 11041G54KT
• 4000
• Q0977
• 05/04
• 12032G42KT
• 9999
• 20000
• 07/05
• Q0975

Original Request

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information legislation in relation to the disruption of an easyJet flight from Isle of Man (IOM) to London Gatwick (LGW) on 27/01/26

Passengers were informed by easyJet that the overnight delay occurred because:

'Strong winds over Isle of Man meant that our ground crew were not able to safely work, and as a result the airport authorities deemed it necessary to suspend all ground operations. Unfortunately, as the weather was not set to improve, we had no option but to delay your flight overnight.'

In order to verify the accuracy of this explanation, I respectfully request the following information from Isle of Man Airport:

1. Confirmation of whether airport authorities formally suspended all ground operations on 27/01/26

2. The exact start and end times of any such suspension.

3. The specific weather conditions recorded at the airport during the relevant period, including wind speed (sustained and gusts).

4. The operational criteria or safety thresholds applied in deciding to suspend ground operations.

5. Whether the suspension applied to all airlines and aircraft types operating at the airport, including easyJet, or whether any flights departed or arrived during the alleged suspension period.

6. Copies of any NOTAMs, safety notices, operational directives, or internal communications issued in relation to the suspension of ground operations on that date.

If no formal suspension of all ground operations was implemented, please confirm this explicitly.

I would be grateful if this information could be provided electronically.

Please let me know if you require any further details in order to process this request. I look forward to your response within the statutory timeframe.