Cancellation of flights

AuthorityDepartment of Infrastructure
Date received2026-02-17
OutcomeAll information sent
Outcome date2026-03-02
Case ID5308189

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.

Data Tables (1)

Data Tables (reformatted)

Time Report Type Station Wind Dir/Spd/Gust Visibility Weather Clouds Temp/Dew QNH Remarks Vis (m) Hourly Wind Max Gust Dry (°C) Wet (°C) QFE Present Wx Past Wx Rain 18-06 Rain 06-06 Rain Hour Cloud Details Observer
0550 METAR EGNS 11041G54KT 4000 RA BKN010 OVC018 05/04 Q0977 RERA TEMPO 7000 -RA 4000 ...... ...... 4.8 4.5 975.9 63 66 9.2 9.2 0.8 6 ST7 1000,8 SC5 1800 SOG 1 SD
0620 METAR EGNS 11038G50KT 4000 RA BKN012 OVC018 05/04 Q0977 TEMPO 7000 -RA 4000 ...... ...... 5.4 4.8 975.5 ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... 6 ST7 1200,8 SC5 1800 SD
0650 METAR EGNS 11041G53KT 9999 ...... OVC013 06/04 Q0976 RERA TEMPO 7000 -RA 12000 ...... ...... 5.8 4.9 974.7 21 62 ...... ...... 0.4 8 ST6 1300 SD
0720 METAR EGNS 11038G53KT 8000 -RA OVC014 06/04 Q0976 TEMPO 4000 RA 8000 ...... ...... 5.9 5.1 974.3 ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... 8 ST7 1400 DHB
0735 ATC SPECI EGNS 11036G50KT 6000 RA OVC013 06/04 Q0976 ...... 6000 ...... ...... 5.8 5.0 974.2 ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... 8 ST7 1300 DHB
0750 METAR EGNS 12037G47KT 6000 RA OVC010 06/04 Q0976 NOSIG 6000 ...... ...... 5.8 5.1 974.0 62 66 ...... ...... 0.6 8 ST7 1000 DHB
0820 METAR EGNS 12036G50KT 6000 RA BKN012 OVC020 06/04 Q0976 NOSIG 6000 ...... ...... 5.7 4.8 974.3 ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... 7 ST7 1200,8 SC5 2000 GS
0850 METAR EGNS 12034G47KT 6000 RA BKN011 OVC020 05/04 Q0976 NOSIG 6000 12036 51 5.3 4.9 974.2 63 66 ...... ...... 1.8 7 ST7 1100,8 SC5 2000 SOG 1 GS
0920 METAR EGNS 12032G45KT 6000 RA BKN010 OVC018 06/04 Q0976 NOSIG 6000 ...... ...... 6.0 5.1 974.2 ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... 7 ST7 1000,8 SC5 1800 GS
0950 METAR EGNS 12032G42KT 8000 RA BKN010 OVC018 06/04 Q0975 BECMG 9999 NSW SCT018 8000 12032 48 6.2 5.3 973.9 63 66 ...... ...... 1.4 7 ST7 1000,8 SC5 1800 GS
1020 METAR EGNS 12030G43KT 9999 -RA BKN010 BKN020 BKN040 07/04 Q0975 BECMG SCT018 15000 ...... ...... 6.6 5.6 973.6 ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... 5 ST7 1000,5 SC5 2000,7 SC5 4000,8 AS2 8000 GS
1050 METAR EGNS 12029G43KT 9999 -RA BKN010 07/05 Q0975 BECMG SCT018 20000 12030 44 6.9 6.0 973.2 61 66 ...... ...... Trace 5 ST6 1000,7 AC

Full Response Text

27 January 2026 STATION: RONALDSWAY 03204 EGNS 0550 METAR EGNS 270550Z 11041G54KT 4000 RA BKN010 OVC018 05/04 Q0977 RERA TEMPO 7000 -RA Remarks: ... Vis 4000 Hourly wind ...... Max gust ...... at ... Dry 4.8 Wet 4.5 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 975.9 QNH 977.9 Present Wx 63 Past Wx 66 Conc temp ... Rain18-06 9.2 Rain06-06 9.2 RainHour 0.8 Cloud 6 ST7 1000,8 SC5 1800 SOG 1 Observer SD 0620 METAR EGNS 270620Z 11038G50KT 4000 RA BKN012 OVC018 05/04 Q0977 TEMPO 7000 -RA Remarks: ... Vis 4000 Dry 5.4 Wet 4.8 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 975.5 QNH 977.5 Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud 6 ST7 1200,8 SC5 1800 Observer SD 0650 METAR EGNS 270650Z 11041G53KT 9999 OVC013 06/04 Q0976 RERA TEMPO 7000 -RA Remarks: ... Vis 12000 Hourly wind ...... Max gust ...... at ... Dry 5.8 Wet 4.9 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 974.7 QNH 976.7 Present Wx 21 Past Wx 62 Conc temp ... RainHour 0.4 Cloud 8 ST6 1300 Observer SD 0720 METAR EGNS 270720Z 11038G53KT 8000 -RA OVC014 06/04 Q0976 TEMPO 4000 RA Remarks: ... Vis 8000 Dry 5.9 Wet 5.1 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 974.3 QNH 976.3 Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud 8 ST7 1400 Observer DHB 0735 ATC SPECI EGNS 270735Z 11036G50KT 6000 RA OVC013 06/04 Q0976 Remarks: ... Vis 6000 Dry 5.8 Wet 5.0 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 974.2 QNH 976.2 Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud 8 ST7 1300 Observer DHB 0750 METAR EGNS 270750Z 12037G47KT 6000 RA OVC010 06/04 Q0976 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 6000 Hourly wind ...... Max gust ...... at ... Dry 5.8 Wet 5.1 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 974.0 QNH 976.0 Present Wx 62 Past Wx 66 Conc temp ... RainHour 0.6 Cloud 8 ST7 1000 Observer DHB 0820 METAR EGNS 270820Z 12036G50KT 6000 RA BKN012 OVC020 06/04 Q0976 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 6000 Dry 5.7 Wet 4.8 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 974.3 QNH 976.3 Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud 7 ST7 1200,8 SC5 2000 Observer GS 0850 METAR EGNS 270850Z 12034G47KT 6000 RA BKN011 OVC020 05/04 Q0976 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 6000 Hourly wind 12036 Max gust ...51 at ... Dry 5.3 Wet 4.9 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 974.2 QNH 976.2 Present Wx 63 Past Wx 66 Conc temp ... RainHour 1.8 Cloud 7 ST7 1100,8 SC5 2000 SOG 1 Observer GS 0850 Observer GS 0850 Observer GS 0920 METAR EGNS 270920Z 12032G45KT 6000 RA BKN010 OVC018 06/04 Q0976 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 6000 Dry 6.0 Wet 5.1 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 974.2 QNH 976.2 Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud 7 ST7 1000,8 SC5 1800 Observer GS 0950 METAR EGNS 270950Z 12032G42KT 8000 RA BKN010 OVC018 06/04 Q0975 BECMG 9999 NSW SCT018 Remarks: ... Vis 8000 Hourly wind 12032 Max gust ...48 at ... Dry 6.2 Wet 5.3 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 973.9 QNH 975.9 Present Wx 63 Past Wx 66 Conc temp ... RainHour 1.4 Cloud 7 ST7 1000,8 SC5 1800 Observer GS 1020 METAR EGNS 271020Z 12030G43KT 9999 -RA BKN010 BKN020 BKN040 07/04 Q0975 BECMG SCT018 Remarks: ... Vis 15000 Dry 6.6 Wet 5.6 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 973.6 QNH 975.6 Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud 5 ST7 1000,5 SC5 2000,7 SC5 4000,8 AS2 8000 Observer GS 27 January 2026 STATION: RONALDSWAY 03204 EGNS 1050 METAR EGNS 271050Z 12029G43KT 9999 -RA BKN010 07/05 Q0975 BECMG SCT018 Remarks: ... Vis 20000 Hourly wind 12030 Max gust ...44 at ... Dry 6.9 Wet 6.0 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 973.2 QNH 975.2 Present Wx 61 Past Wx 66 Conc temp ... RainHour Trace Cloud 5 ST6 1000,7 AC7 8000 Observer GS 1120 METAR EGNS 271120Z 12030G40KT 9999 BKN010 BKN018 07/05 Q0975 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 20000 Dry 7.3 Wet 6.3 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 973.2 QNH 975.2 Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud 5 ST6 1000,5 SC5 1800 Observer GS 1150 METAR EGNS 271150Z 12029KT 9999 BKN010 08/05 Q0974 BECMG SCT010 Remarks: ... Vis 20000 Hourly wind 12029 Max gust ...43 at ... Dry 7.5 Wet 6.5 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 972.2 QNH 974.2 Present Wx 21 Past Wx 62 Conc temp ... Rain06-12 4.2 RainHour Trace Cloud 5 ST6 1000,7 CI2 20000 SOG 1 Observer GS 1220 METAR EGNS 271220Z 12029G43KT 9999 BKN009 08/06 Q0974 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 20000 Dry 7.5 Wet 6.6 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 972.6 QNH 974.6 Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud 6 ST6 900,7 CI2 20000 Observer GS 1250 METAR EGNS 271250Z 12029G42KT 9999 BKN009 08/06 Q0974 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 25000 Hourly wind 12028 Max gust ...42 at ... Dry 7.5 Wet 6.7 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 972.6 QNH 974.6 Present Wx 02 Past Wx 22 Conc temp ... RainHour 0.0 Cloud 7 ST6 900 Observer GS 1320 METAR EGNS 271320Z 11029G41KT 9999 -RA BKN010 08/06 Q0974 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 25000 Dry 7.7 Wet 7.1 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 972.0 QNH 974.0 Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud 5 ST6 1000,1 CU1 1800 AC3 8000 Observer GS 1350 METAR EGNS 271350Z 11029KT 9999 BKN010 08/06 Q0973 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 30000 Hourly wind 11029 Max gust ...44 at ... Dry 7.7 Wet 6.9 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 971.9 QNH 973.9 Present Wx 25 Past Wx 82 Conc temp ... RainHour Trace Cloud 7 ST6 1000 Observer GS 1420 METAR EGNS 271420Z 11030KT 9999 BKN012 08/06 Q0973 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 30000 Dry 8.1 Wet 7.1 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 971.5 QNH 973.5 Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud 7 ST6 1200 Observer GS 1450 METAR EGNS 271450Z 11031G44KT 9999 SCT012 08/06 Q0972 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 25000 Hourly wind 11030 Max gust ...45 at ... Dry 8.2 Wet 7.1 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 970.9 QNH 972.9 Present Wx 01 Past Wx 81 Conc temp ... RainHour 0.0 Cloud 3 ST6 1200,1 CI2 25000 SOG 1 Observer GS 1520 METAR EGNS 271520Z 11033G45KT 9999 SCT012 08/06 Q0973 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 25000 Dry 8.2 Wet 7.1 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 971.0 QNH 973.0 Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud 3 ST6 1200,1 CI2 25000 Observer GS 1550 METAR EGNS 271550Z 11034KT 9999 SCT012 08/06 Q0973 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 25000 Hourly wind 11033 Max gust ...46 at ... Dry 8.2 Wet 7.0 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 971.0 QNH 973.0 Present Wx 02 Past Wx 00 Conc temp ... RainHour 0.0 Cloud 3 ST6 1200,1 SC5 5000,1 AC3 10000,1 CI2 25000 Observer GS 27 January 2026 STATION: RONALDSWAY 03204 EGNS 1620 METAR EGNS 271620Z 12031KT 9999 SCT014 08/06 Q0973 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 25000 Dry 8.3 Wet 7.1 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 971.1 QNH 973.1 Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud 3 SC5 1400,1 SC5 4000,1 AC3 10000,1 CI1 25000 Observer GS 1650 METAR EGNS 271650Z 12027KT 9999 FEW014 BKN048 09/06 Q0973 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 25000 Hourly wind 12030 Max gust ...45 at ... Dry 8.6 Wet 7.2 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 971.1 QNH 973.1 Present Wx 25 Past Wx 81 Conc temp ... RainHour Trace Cloud 1 ST6 1400,5 SC5 4800 Observer GS 1720 METAR EGNS 271720Z 12026KT 9999 FEW015 SCT048 09/05 Q0973 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 25000 Dry 8.8 Wet 7.2 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 971.2 QNH 973.2 Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud 1 ST6 1500,3 SC5 4800 Observer GS 1750 METAR EGNS 271750Z AUTO /////KT ////NDV // ///////// ///// Q//// Remarks: ... Vis ... Hourly wind ...... Max gust ...... at ... Dry ... Wet ... RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE ... QNH ... Present Wx ... Past Wx ... Conc temp ... Rain06-18 4.2 RainHour ... Cloud ... Observer ... 1752 ATC SPECI EGNS 271752Z 13027G37KT 9999 -SHRA FEW015 SCT030 09/06 Q0973 Remarks: ... Vis 15000 Dry 8.6 Wet 7.2 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 971.4 QNH 973.4 Conc temp ... Rain06-18 ... RainHour ... Cloud 1 ST6 1500,3 CU1 3000,5 SC5 5000 Observer AC 1820 METAR EGNS 271820Z 14032KT 9999 FEW018 BKN035 09/04 Q0973 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 20000 Dry 9.2 Wet 6.8 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 971.5 QNH 973.5 Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud 1 CU1 1800,5 SC5 3500 Observer AC 1850 METAR EGNS 271850Z 14030G40KT 9999 -SHRA FEW018 BKN030 09/05 Q0974 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 10000 Hourly wind ...... Max gust ...... at ... Dry 8.7 Wet 6.9 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 972.1 QNH 974.1 Present Wx 80 Past Wx 82 Conc temp ... RainHour .2 Cloud 1 CU2 1800,6 SC5 3000 Observer AC 1920 METAR EGNS 271920Z 16023G36KT 8000 SHRA SCT018 BKN030 08/04 Q0974 BECMG 9999 Remarks: ... Vis 8000 Dry 8.3 Wet 6.5 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 972.8 QNH 974.8 Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud 3 CU2 1800,6 SC5 3000 Observer AC 1938 ATC SPECI EGNS 271938Z 16026G36KT 9999 SCT020 BKN035 08/04 Q0975 Remarks: ... Vis 18000 Dry 8 Wet 6.4 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 973.1 QNH 975.1 Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud 3 CU1 2000,5 SC5 3500 Observer AC 1950 METAR EGNS 271950Z 16025G36KT 9999 SCT019 BKN035 08/05 Q0975 NOSIG Remarks: ... Vis 20000 Hourly wind ...... Max gust ...... at ... Dry 8.1 Wet 6.5 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 973.4 QNH 975.4 Present Wx 25 Past Wx 82 Conc temp ... RainHour Trace Cloud 3 CU1 1900,5 SC5 3500 Observer AC 2020 METAR EGNS 272020Z 16023G33KT 9999 -SHRA FEW013 BKN025 08/05 Q0975 TEMPO 6000 SHRA Remarks: ... Vis 10000 Dry 7.7 Wet 6.5 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 973.7 QNH 975.7 Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud 2 CU2 1300,6 SC5 2500 Observer AC 2050 METAR EGNS 272050Z 17024KT 9999 -SHRA SCT014 BKN025 08/06 Q0976 Remarks: ... Vis 10000 Hourly wind ...... Max gust ...... at ... Dry 7.5 Wet 6.9 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 974.2 QNH 976.2 Present Wx 80 Past Wx 82 Conc temp ... RainHour 0.6 Cloud 3 CU2 1400,6 SC5 2500 SOG 1 Observer AC 27 January 2026 STATION: RONALDSWAY 03204 EGNS 2050 Observer AC 2050 Observer HS 2120 METAR EGNS 272120Z AUTO /////KT ////NDV // ///////// ///// Q//// Remarks: ... Vis ... Dry ... Wet ... RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE ... QNH ... Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud ... Observer ... 2150 METAR EGNS 272150Z 21024KT 9999 FEW020 BKN036 08/05 Q0978 Remarks: ... Vis 24000 Hourly wind ...... Max gust ...... at ... Dry 8.3 Wet 6.8 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 976.1 QNH 978.1 Present Wx 25 Past Wx 82 Conc temp ... RainHour Trace Cloud 2 CU1 2000,7 SC5 3600 Observer DHB 2220 METAR EGNS 272220Z AUTO /////KT ////NDV // ///////// ///// Q//// Remarks: ... Vis ... Dry ... Wet ... RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE ... QNH ... Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud ... Observer ... 2250 METAR EGNS 272250Z 21022KT 9999 -SHRA FEW020 OVC028 08/05 Q0980 Remarks: ... Vis 20000 Hourly wind ...... Max gust ...... at ... Dry 8.2 Wet 6.6 RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE 978.3 QNH 980.3 Present Wx 80 Past Wx 82 Conc temp ... RainHour Trace Cloud 1 CU1 2000,8 SC5 2800 Observer DHB 2320 METAR EGNS 272320Z AUTO /////KT ////NDV // ///////// ///// Q//// Remarks: ... Vis ... Dry ... Wet ... RH sensor ... RH wet ... QFE ... QNH ... Conc temp ... RainHour ... Cloud ... Observer ...

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 5308189 26 February 2026

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 17 February 2026, which states:

"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."

Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

Regarding points 1,2,5 & 6 of your request, no suspension of operations were initiated by either the ground handling agent or Isle of Man Airport.
Details of the weather conditions on the 27th  January 2026, as requested in point 3, can be found in Appendix 1. In response to point 4, the operational criteria and safety thresholds used to determine whether ground operations should be suspended are the responsibility of the ground handling agent, Menzies Aviation. Please quote the reference number 5308189 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://servic

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