Further to "No Slots" post, I was there and talked to the local councillers.
They were obviously very pro airport but depressingly keen on holding onto their political seats come the next election, I'm afraid that with attitudes like that Infratril are deserving of musch greater support.
As I told said councillers, who were complaing of the Company's attitude, will it take Infratril to say "enough is enough" and give a deadline, after which they will walk away from Manston and leave it to rot?
Unless there is greater political intiative to allow it open H24, operate unrestricted and get a huge wad of cash (it can be found from the Government and the EEC) to invest in attracting a suitable airline (s) to sensible destinations, that's exactly what is going to happen.
Sod the opinions of the NIMBYs, the airport is too important for it's potential contribution to the SE of England.