Flybe’s daily scheduled passenger flights between Manston airport and Edinburgh, starting on Thursday (May 27), have boosted the isle’s jobs market, according to Infratil, Manston’s owner.
The company says it has recruited 20 new staff, all of whom live locally, to ensure the passengers of Flybe, Newmarket Holidays and CI Travel, which operates charter flights and holidays to Jersey, have the best possible experience when passing through the airport.
The new staff will be responsible for check-in and customer service, as well as sales and marketing, operating the shop and airport security.
Infratil says 112 people are now employed at Manston to manage the passenger and freight operations, including the recruits, who have just completed their training.
Tom Wilson, chief executive of Infratil Airports Europe, said: “With the new passenger services we are now able to deliver on our promise to increase the number of people employed at the airport and play an even bigger role in supporting the local economy.
“As well as the 112 employees, the airport also does business with more than 100 companies across Kent.”
Marta Easton, Manston’s senior customer services supervisor, said: “The team is very excited about the return of daily flights to the airport.
“By working closely with Flybe and charter airlines we are confident that our passengers will receive great customer service on a par with, if not better than, any other regional airport.”
The service will be operated by a 78-seat Bombardier Q-400 turboprop aircraft, claimed to be one of the quietest of its type.
Flights take 80 minutes and are priced £24.99 each way.