Originally Posted by
Harry Wayfarers
Whether it be Weston Cross or Westwood Cross might be considered nitpicking!
As for connecting to the world Manston had that opportunity with KLM connecting Thanet to KLM's, and all their codeshare partners, world, but two or three Fokkers, or whatever, a day don't make for a viable airport.
You say that freight has always been the main earner for Manston, is that because it failed so miserably trying to attract passengers that the occasional freight movement won every time?
I worked for some 7 years in the cargo airline business, I do recall the occasional loaded freighter going thru Manston but more often than not the freighters were in Manston for maintenance with Jet Support, they weren't carrying revenue loads and what part of "THE RUNWAY ISN'T LONG ENOUGH" do you people have difficulty understanding?
And, yes, I did put a loaded freighter in to Manston one day, it was an F27 on it's way back DUS/SEN when pretty much all of England fogged out, Manston popped up with 1,000m RVR so we diverted it in there ... There, you can add a diverted F27 freighter to your statistics!
As for holiday destinations, EUJet tried it with modestly sized F100's and they failed miserably, Flybe had a route or two out of Manston but they couldn't make those work, as per my previous post the people of Thanet are being led to believe that with a re-opened Manston they can be jetting off to a holiday destination of their choice from their doorstep airport, well someone needs to tell these people the truth!
Too much fiction Harry and not enough fact. Looking at 2011 the airport was ranked 8th largest in the UK on total freight handled, and 5th largest when considering only dedicated freighter cargo (i.e. excluding pax ops cargo).
25,500 tonnes of imported cargo in 2011. Runway too short??? I don't think so. And all of this 25,500 tonnes being delivered by "the odd freighter movement"??? I don't think so.
It's a rumour network here but when the facts are to hand, let's use them rather concocting fiction.