Isle of Man Airport seeks permanent director with salary up to £120,000
Key Points
- 1The Department of Infrastructure is seeking a permanent Airport Director for Ronaldsway, offering an annual salary up to £120,934.
- 2The recruitment follows more than a year of interim leadership by Geoff Pugh, who stepped in after the previous director departed.
- 3The new director will take charge while the airport remains under 'special attention' enforcement status from the IoM CAA, active since May 2024.
- 4The role requires addressing ongoing operational and staffing challenges, including recent union rejection of a pay offer for air traffic controllers.
The Department of Infrastructure has initiated the search for a permanent Airport Director for Ronaldsway (Isle of Man Airport), more than a year after Geoff Pugh was appointed to the interim role following the departure of Gary Cobb. The full-time position commands an annual salary ranging between £96,752 and £120,934. The job advertisement describes the role as pivotal, requiring the successful applicant to run a safe and efficient airport, including associated air navigation services, while balancing growth, safety, and service delivery to meet community aviation needs and generate revenue.
This recruitment drive occurs during a period of significant operational challenges for the facility. Ronaldsway has been operating under a 'special attention' enforcement status from the Isle of Man Civil Aviation Administration (IoM CAA) since May 2024. Furthermore, the airport’s air traffic control (ATC) unit was also placed under 'special attention' in August 2025 due to ongoing staffing and resilience concerns.
Infrastructure Minister Dr. Michelle Haywood has publicly maintained that while management and resilience issues exist, the airport continues to operate safely. However, the challenging environment is underscored by recent industrial relations issues, including the rejection of a 'full and final' pay offer by unions representing air traffic controllers last month. The new director will step into a pivotal leadership role tasked with navigating these regulatory pressures and staffing disputes. The deadline for applications is January 6, 2026.
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