I believe the next round of discusions regarding South East air support is scheduled sometime in mid April, perhaps one step closer to providing some reassurance to the ASU's already in existance??
Surely the most logical solution would be for Kent to provide funding to the surrounding ASU's to provide an agreed level of service in return? It would be far cheaper option than going stand alone and possibly work out cheaper than the ad-hoc "rental" of air support they currently rely on?