Company Profile

Isle of Man Airport, also known as Ronaldsway Airport (Purt Aer Vannin in Manx), is the primary civilian airport serving the Isle of Man. Established as an airfield in 1928, the airport has played a crucial role in connecting the island to the UK and beyond for nearly a century. Passenger services began in 1933, and operations have since expanded to include major airlines such as Aer Lingus and Railway Air Services. Strategically located near Castletown, the airport serves as one of the two main gateways to the Isle of Man, alongside the Isle of Man Sea Terminal.

Today, it operates flights to 17 destinations, served by five airlines, and in 2024, it welcomed over 650,000 passengers. As a medium-sized airport, Isle of Man Airport has always prioritised operational efficiency and regulatory compliance to ensure the safety and satisfaction of its passengers. However, as operations became increasingly complex, the need for a more streamlined and transparent approach to safety and compliance management became evident. Recognising this challenge, the airport sought a more integrated, efficient system, leading to its partnership with TrustFlight.

Opportunity to Transform

Before 2019, Isle of Man Airport relied on SharePoint to manage safety, compliance, and operational processes. While this system provided a basic level of digital documentation, it lacked the functionality required for real-time oversight, structured workflows, and seamless collaboration among different departments. Over time, these limitations became more pronounced, making it increasingly difficult for the airport to maintain high standards of efficiency and regulatory compliance. The airport environment is inherently dynamic, with operations spanning from the terminal to the control tower and airfield. Real-time access to critical safety, compliance, and operational information is essential, but the lack of a centralised system resulted in inefficiencies.

The Isle of Man Airport leadership recognised the growing complexity of regulatory requirements and the pressing need for improved tracking, auditing, and reporting capabilities. Following a comprehensive evaluation of available solutions, the airport chose TrustFlight’s Centrik, a specialised Safety, Quality and Risk management (SMS/QMS) platform designed for the aviation industry. Centrik stood out for its ability to unify safety management, compliance tracking, and operational oversight into a single, intuitive interface. More importantly, it provided a structured and transparent system that would empower every employee—from the Airport Director to customer service agents—to take an active role in maintaining the highest standards of safety and service.

Strategy Execution

Implementing a new system can often be met with resistance, as changes to established workflows can unsettle staff. Recognising this, TrustFlight adopted a structured and supportive approach to ensure a smooth transition for Isle of Man Airport employees.

Through a combination of hands-on training, live demonstrations, and continuous support, TrustFlight encouraged early adoption. Key personnel became advocates for Centrik, fostering a culture of transparency and efficiency. The transition from SharePoint to Centrik was carefully planned and executed through a phased rollout approach. This allowed employees to gradually familiarise themselves with the new platform without disrupting daily operations. The Documents Module was one of the core modules introduced, providing a centralised hub where essential regulatory and operational documents were instantly accessible to all staff. In an ever-changing regulatory environment, quick distribution and immediate availability of documents became key to ensuring smooth airport operations.

The introduction of the Reporting Module marked a significant shift in how Isle of Man Airport managed safety observations and incidents. Employees at all levels could now easily submit reports on safety issues, occurrences, and potential risks. This not only improved compliance but also fostered a positive reporting culture, ensuring that lessons learned were shared across the community.

Through this phased approach and proactive communication, TrustFlight ensured that Centrik was not just a technological upgrade but a catalyst for a broader cultural shift—one that emphasised accountability, efficiency, and continuous improvement across all airport operations.

Outcome

Since implementing Centrik, Isle of Man Airport has transformed its approach to safety, compliance, and operational management. Compliance management has been greatly enhanced, with real-time access to critical information improving responsiveness and decision-making. The centralised system has eliminated inefficiencies, providing management with valuable data-driven insights. Automation has reduced administrative burdens, freeing staff to focus on strategic initiatives. Increased visibility into safety trends has allowed the airport to proactively address risks before they escalate. Perhaps most importantly, Centrik has fostered greater engagement across all levels of the organisation, creating a strong culture of collaboration and safety. This transformation has positioned Isle of Man Airport as a model for how medium-sized airports can leverage technology to enhance operations, ensuring it remains a reliable and efficient gateway to the Isle of Man for years to come.

“TrustFlight has been an exceptional partner in modernising our operations at Isle of Man Airport. With Centrik, we’ve seen a remarkable evolution in the way we manage safety, compliance, and daily processes. Their expertise and support have made the transition seamless, allowing us to enhance reporting, streamline workflows, and create a more transparent and accountable safety culture.” – Melissa Rundle, Head of Safety, Compliance & Quality Assurance at Isle of Man Airport