What began as an airfield for Isle of Man Air Services Ltd. in the 1930s has considerably grown into a facility that has welcomed and sent off people from different walks of life to business trips and holidays that would always be remembered.

The Isle of Man Ronaldsway Airport is about 8 miles or 13 kilometers from the Isle of Man's capital, Douglas. Though controlled by the Royal Air Force in World War 2, it continued to support civilian flights and was eventually utilized as a training station for the Fleet Air Arm of the Admiralty. Rights to the strip were then transferred and sold to the government of the Isle of Man in 1948. Renovations were conducted to the field in the 1990s and gave way to the annex in the year 2000.

Open 365 days, from 6:15 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and from 7:00 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. on Sundays, around 700,000 passengers are transported to and from the airport annually. Destinations include the British Isles, England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

Various airport services are made available to passengers and visitors. Currency exchange and other basic banking transactions can easily be done through the NatWest and HSBC ATMs in the main lobby. English and Manx sterling are accepted within the airport and on the Island. Public telephones take in coins, phone cards and international credit cards and are conveniently placed at different areas of the terminal. For those who wish to log on to the internet, the airport departure lounge and buffet areas are wireless internet access zones. Businessmen can inquire through the Airport Director's Office about using the meeting room. Facsimile and photocopying machines are likewise available for the busy traveler.

While waiting for their flight, passengers can spend their time trying the menu at Cafe Oasis or looking for gifts or souvenirs at the Skylines Travelers Store. Parents traveling with infants or children can use the baby rooms found on the ground floor or inside the departure lounge.

Disabled travelers need not worry as the airport facilities provide accessibility to toilets, phones and parking. For people picking up or dropping off companions, the public car park provides an hour's worth of free parking.

To get around the area, finding car hire at the Isle of Man Airport is not a problem. Book in advance with Car Hire 3000 and your car will be ready to pick up when you arrive.

Check-in counters are found within the terminal. All baggage and passengers must go through routine security checks. Boxed matches, lighters, weapons (including replicas or toys), compressed gases, inflammable objects, blades, razors, knives, letter openers are prohibited from being brought onboard the aircraft. After check-in, passengers may proceed to the departure area and wait for their flight to begin boarding.