Manston Airport – previously called Kent International Airport and London Manston Airport – is set to open up again.
The hub, which used to offer flights from the UK to popular European destinations such as Portugal and Italy, has been abandoned since 2014.
Airlines such as the now-defunct carrier Flybe and KLM have previously flown from Manston.
However, the final flight from the hub took place in April 2014. Since then, it has been mainly used as a lorry park.
RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP) bought the airport in 2019 and has since been trying to reestablish services and flights.
Manston Airport is a disused airport set to reopen as a cargo and freight hub
This week, it has been announced that plans for the airport are entering the ‘consultation/engagement’ stage of plans.
The airspace change proposal for Manston has moved into stage three, Save Manston Airport reported.
This means that public consultations will be held to hear views on the proposed airspace changes to flight paths and airspace structure.
This is part of the next step in the process to reopen the airport – although it will be used as an air freight hub, rather than a commercial terminal.
A statement on RSP’s website explains: ‘Once reopened, Manston will help the UK trade across the globe, importing vital and time-sensitive goods, including fresh fruit and medical supplies, providing air freight operators with a realistic alternative to the overcrowded London airports, easing the considerable road congestion caused by lorries carrying freight through the channel tunnel to European airports and improving resilience and boost economic growth and jobs in Kent.’
Plans to bring Manston back into operation by RSP have been in progress since the company purchased the site.
A Development Consent Order to approve reopening the airport was granted in 2020, with an updated version approved in 2022.
The consultation will run from Monday, March 16 until Monday, June 22, 2026.
It will include a series of in-person and online events during April providing the local community with details of the proposed flight paths and airport usage.
Tony Freudmann, director at RiverOak Strategic Partners said: ‘This consultation is an important step in our ambitions to reopen Manston Airport, representing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver new runway capacity to support the UK air cargo market and to transform the economic landscape in East Kent.
‘We know Manston holds a special place in the area’s history, we would encourage people to find out more about our proposal and provide any feedback they might have to help shape our plans.’
The Civil Aviation Authority’s Citizen Space will share additional information on March 16, to give local residents, businesses, and other interested parties time to have their say before plans proceed.
There is currently no launch date for the new hub, but the first takeoff is aimed for 2029.
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Abandoned UK airport set to finally reopen after 12 years of being used as a lorry park
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