manstonman, you are forgetting however regardless of how long it takes to drive to Luton or Stansted they do have a high speed rail link from both airports. With East Midlands trains for example it is only 20 minutes from Luton Airport Parkway to St Pancras, something which Manston cannot offer.
The argument regarding the reasons for Manston seems to change all the time. One minute everyone is arguing Manston has a big enough demand in its immediate catchment area to support flights, then you all change and start suggesting it its a viable alternative to London!
Surely the failings of EUJet suggests it isn't the latter?
If it really does take 96 mins from London to Manston surely we can consider East Midlands airport as a viable alternative as well, considering I have done that journey about 15 minutes quicker than that!