Following the development of the new airport terminal over the past decade, the island is now investing heavily in the rest of the airport infrastructure, including re-structuring of the only runway, aircraft standing and approach navigation during 2012 through to 2014. The investment of £80.4m could see the airport close for four periods of two days but is still up for discussion with airport operators. Over 40 years has elapsed since the re-surfacing of the runway in 1974 which was expected to last no more than 30 years. The airport was opened in 1939. In the four months from the airport opening to the German invasion, 5,000 passengers flew between the island anbd the UK. Almost a million passengers a year travel through the airport which is government owned and run. As part of the essential maintenance, airport aprons will be replaced, as will be ground lighting and drainage. Taxiways will be re-aligned levelled and re-surfaced.

Proposed alterations to the 1,463m runway will see the runway move west 120metres and an increased length for takeoffs but not for landing. There will also be work done on the middle section to reduce the dip in the runway and new safety areas at each end to comply with CAA regulations. Had the runway been extended to 1,700m as called for by some airlines, the extra cost would be around £23-£25m.

Agreement has been reached with two remaining landowners over approach lights to be erected on their properties at the western end. May 2011)