Despite poor weather, and an unexpected dose of rider risk-aversion, pulling the Senior TT race plug, spectator attendance for the 2025 TT still reached record figures.
The Isle of Man Steam Packet ferry predicts its finalised exit data will show more than 39,400 passengers travelled by boat to the island during the 22 May-9 June TT period. This will represent a 5% increase on 2024’s total of 37,808 – which was itself a record outside of the 2007 Centenary TT, when the Steam Packet operated a fleet of five vessels to bring in more than 47,000 fans.
Given advance ferry bookings are already at record levels for TT 2026, Steam Packet managing director Brian Thomson was understandably effusive. “This has been a great result for us and the wider Isle of Man economy,” he said. “We work closely with TT organisers, teams and marshals to help make the event successful and we’ll be looking to build on this success next year and into the future.”
However, the Isle of Man’s Ronaldsway Airport admitted to suffering a “modest” 3% decline in overall flight passenger numbers in the 22 May-9 June slot. Ronaldsway dealt with 1236 aircraft movements (a 1% increase year-on-year) and handled 52,785 passengers.
Commenting, airport director Geoff Pugh said: “Despite a slight dip, TT-specific charters achieved a 94% load factor. EasyJet led the way with 34,976 passengers across 272 flights, Aer Lingus and Loganair carried a further 15,600 passengers, while private jet and charter traffic remained steady. We are pleased to see such solid load factors from our key carriers and a huge thank you is due to all our airport teams, airline partners and support staff for making TT 2025 another successful year.”
Both the Steam Packet ferry line and Ronaldsway Airport are wholly-owned Manx government corporate entities.