A CLOSED airport has moved one step forward to reopening and could even eventually welcome back passenger planes.
Having first opened in 1916 – and used as an RAF base – Manston Airport in Kent has been closed since 2014.
The airfield is just outside of Ramsgate and Margate and was previously used as a regional hub to fly Brits abroad from the 1960s.
It was used by airlines like KLM, EUjet, Flybe and Monarch Airlines flying to destinations like Italy, Portugal and Amsterdam.
However, it ceased all passenger flights in 2014, only being used as an emergency holding area for thousands of lorries during disruption at the French border post-Brexit.
But last year, it was announced that Manston Airport was going to make a comeback at the cost of £750million.
It has now been given government approval to reopen, with phase three now going ahead.
RiverOak Strategic Partners Limited (RSP), owner of Manston Airport, is asking locals in Kent to look at potential flight routes and map plans.
Anyone living in Ramsgate and Herne Bay – the towns located at either end of the airport’s runway – will get a first look at where aircraft will be seen and heard if the site reopens.
The documents will be published on March 16, with the public given until June 22, 2026 to comment.
Tony Freudman, from airport owners RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP), told Kent Online that Manston could reopen as a cargo airport initially as soon as 2029.
He then added that later on it could be used for passenger flights too, if this is successful.
While no airlines have expressed interest yet, Mr Freudman said the likes of Jet2 and TUI prefer “regional airports like this one”.
Not only that, but he addressed the issue of “low cost carriers struggling for peak time slots” at other major airports.
With the news on social media, there has been a lot of support by Kent locals.
One commented on Facebook: “It would be nice to have an airport on our doorstep even if it was for short trips instead of going up to London same as the euro star.”
Another added: “I would love to see it fully operational again along with the economic boost it could bring if done properly.
“Passenger flights would, in my view, be an added bonus. I flew from there a few times and it was fantastic. Fingers crossed it will happen this time.”
And here are the two UK airports that are about to be much easier and cheaper to travel to – after thousands fined £100.
Plus, here’s the local airport was named the best in the UK – it beats London Heathrow and City by miles.
