My guess on a operator to take over would be one of the East-European boys, fling low cost into the growing market in the east.
Going along with DDs theory and no schedule airline ever flies from Manston. Can Manston survive with the following operations ? some of which do provide a local service.
SAR Operations
Humanitarian Aid Flights
All Cargo Flights
Executive Flights
Summer Holiday Flights
Transatlantic Ferry Flights
Military Flights
Private and Commercial Flight Training
ATC for Kent and the English Channel.
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On a different subject, with the new engine overhaul centre being built, Are the engines being road-ed or flown in, or a bit of both?