MANSTON - 2
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Ramsgate, Kent
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"If the end is nigh why then have Infratil spent over £7 Million on improvements and are still spending."
Ianh. I drive through Manston regularly, and I can see no evidence of £7 million being spent on the infrastructure by Infratil. Since you quoted this figure, perhaps you could give a breakdown of exactly what this money has been spent on?
I suspect you are actually referring to the costs of running the airport. With no business to speak of passing through the airport it is easy to see how losses for the year could have reached the figure you quote (i.e. the operating costs). However, this is is not money that has been invested in the infrastructure, but money that has effectively disappeared down the toilet.
Ianh. I drive through Manston regularly, and I can see no evidence of £7 million being spent on the infrastructure by Infratil. Since you quoted this figure, perhaps you could give a breakdown of exactly what this money has been spent on?
I suspect you are actually referring to the costs of running the airport. With no business to speak of passing through the airport it is easy to see how losses for the year could have reached the figure you quote (i.e. the operating costs). However, this is is not money that has been invested in the infrastructure, but money that has effectively disappeared down the toilet.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Whitstable
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catflaps
I dont have a breakdown as I dont actually work for Infratil however I was at a presentation by a senior member of the infratil team and he is not one to bulls**t. I know for a fact that the runway ends have been repaired and that a full asbestos survey has been carried out. I know you will say that this has not cost £7 million but these are the only 2 projects I know as fact. You will find that I only speak of what I know and not of guesswork or conjecture. There is probably a great deal of "invisible" work going on that we are not aware of.
You must understand that I am neither talking MSE up nor down, only facts and what I am told.
I have had dealings with the new owners and am suitably impressed with their strategy, honesty and integrity.
Some posters may not like what they hear, or are understandably sceptical, however I think Infratil will deliver a successful regional airport within 5 years.
IH
I dont have a breakdown as I dont actually work for Infratil however I was at a presentation by a senior member of the infratil team and he is not one to bulls**t. I know for a fact that the runway ends have been repaired and that a full asbestos survey has been carried out. I know you will say that this has not cost £7 million but these are the only 2 projects I know as fact. You will find that I only speak of what I know and not of guesswork or conjecture. There is probably a great deal of "invisible" work going on that we are not aware of.
You must understand that I am neither talking MSE up nor down, only facts and what I am told.
I have had dealings with the new owners and am suitably impressed with their strategy, honesty and integrity.
Some posters may not like what they hear, or are understandably sceptical, however I think Infratil will deliver a successful regional airport within 5 years.
IH
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Up in The Air
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I don't come on this forum that much anymore as I am tired of listening to people who believe that they have knowledge as they take regular flights on business!?! And also believe that they are being 'personally' attacked by people on this forum. I for one have only ever written against somebody based on their views, which are based on opinion, rather than facts and industry knowledge, to an extent where if they believe they write alot people will believe that they are right!
Regional airports have a place, if run like a regional airport. EUjet were trying to do this in the end, with some medium haul holiday flights, hence the management buy out. Certain regional routes can make very good money with low load factors! EDI was one for MSE.
I know which airlines were also interested in the extension of MSE to a non-centralised international hub- i.e flights that don't really need to go to LHR but just 'close' to London. Also the rates that were on offer- a little more than a packet of crisps and bottle of coke, which included landing and handling. And these rates covered costs!
People never know what goes on behind the scenes, and as I have stated already at the time the airport was so close to having more than a daily transatlantic service!
Regional airports have a place, if run like a regional airport. EUjet were trying to do this in the end, with some medium haul holiday flights, hence the management buy out. Certain regional routes can make very good money with low load factors! EDI was one for MSE.
I know which airlines were also interested in the extension of MSE to a non-centralised international hub- i.e flights that don't really need to go to LHR but just 'close' to London. Also the rates that were on offer- a little more than a packet of crisps and bottle of coke, which included landing and handling. And these rates covered costs!
People never know what goes on behind the scenes, and as I have stated already at the time the airport was so close to having more than a daily transatlantic service!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Isle of Thanet
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I've been told that the following are under way:
The apron on the Northern grass is to be let (car co?). This is now completely clear, except for the AFX 747, whose days are numbered.
An above-ground fuel farm is to be constructed on the site of the lorry park at the cross-roads. This would be accessible from both land and air sides.
The apron on the Northern grass is to be let (car co?). This is now completely clear, except for the AFX 747, whose days are numbered.
An above-ground fuel farm is to be constructed on the site of the lorry park at the cross-roads. This would be accessible from both land and air sides.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Germany
Age: 52
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Regards
Hi,
Here a little greetings from the (ex)sister airport Lahr/Germany....
Heads up Boys, MSE will be running next year
Send us flights to the entertainment park in our area...i´ts perfect for MSE and LHA..
Sorry for my bad english.
Best Regards
Monchi
Here a little greetings from the (ex)sister airport Lahr/Germany....
Heads up Boys, MSE will be running next year
Send us flights to the entertainment park in our area...i´ts perfect for MSE and LHA..
Sorry for my bad english.
Best Regards
Monchi
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kent
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Catflaps i think you will find that above ground bunded fuel installations are seen as the norm now, as appose to underground storage tanks especially as the location of MSE right on top of the water table.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Ramsgate, Kent
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Three reasons why it won't get planning permission:
1) It's right next to a busy main road and a very important road junction.
2) It's 100metres from a residential housing estate
3) It's right on top of Thanet's aquifer
There is a fourth reason, which will have influenced those who have to decide on the most appropriate site to store highly flammable liquids: Bunsfield.
1) It's right next to a busy main road and a very important road junction.
2) It's 100metres from a residential housing estate
3) It's right on top of Thanet's aquifer
There is a fourth reason, which will have influenced those who have to decide on the most appropriate site to store highly flammable liquids: Bunsfield.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: EGMH..a down, not yet out, formerly awesome airfield
Age: 55
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anyway.........
Catflaps
have you driven through the airfield this week? Whatever speed you were doing you cannot have failed to notice all the civil engineering work in progress.
Fenrose are the contractor, diggers, dumpers, landrovers, men in hiviz jackets, piles of earth...............
Lots going on
Catflaps
have you driven through the airfield this week? Whatever speed you were doing you cannot have failed to notice all the civil engineering work in progress.
Fenrose are the contractor, diggers, dumpers, landrovers, men in hiviz jackets, piles of earth...............
Lots going on
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Sittingbourne Kent and at Wimborne Dorset
Age: 37
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Just found out what MSE needs is for Bath travel to come to the southeast and have one off the Palmair A/C to be based at MSE 
I know it knever happen but it is a good idea they do brilliant hoildays and great flights
James
I know it knever happen but it is a good idea they do brilliant hoildays and great flightsJames
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Thanet
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Catflaps-
You disagree with the idea that there is a "timetable" for MSE closure. Fair enough, but I offer this clarification.
Infratil say they "expect" an operating surplus within 3-4 years. Indeed, the operating performance they "expect" has data running to March 2009 - Manston's 10 year civilian anniversary. Coincidence? - I doubt it.
This word "expect" could refer to joyful anticipation, or it could be something quite different.
A deadline.
After 10 years of losses, they can go to TDC and make a cast-iron case for redevelopment without all the aggro of court cases etc, and it would only have cost them a few million in losses - chicken feed compared to to non-aviation profits on the site.
In the meantime, they MUST run MSE properly of course, and I have no doubt that the local management will run the airport to the best of their ability - including spending their allocated budget on the fabric of the place (much to the glee of various visitors to this board !). A few operators will come and go, but the much-needed profit is unlikely to materialise.
However......
Playing devil's advocate, during the dying days of EUjet, many of us on ADVFN reckoned it would last till April 06 (apart from the huge crowd of numpties who said it would last forever). Only one, lone, visionary voice said it would die in July 05 - and he was right!!
Catflaps - perhaps you also possess this vision !
You disagree with the idea that there is a "timetable" for MSE closure. Fair enough, but I offer this clarification.
Infratil say they "expect" an operating surplus within 3-4 years. Indeed, the operating performance they "expect" has data running to March 2009 - Manston's 10 year civilian anniversary. Coincidence? - I doubt it.
This word "expect" could refer to joyful anticipation, or it could be something quite different.
A deadline.
After 10 years of losses, they can go to TDC and make a cast-iron case for redevelopment without all the aggro of court cases etc, and it would only have cost them a few million in losses - chicken feed compared to to non-aviation profits on the site.
In the meantime, they MUST run MSE properly of course, and I have no doubt that the local management will run the airport to the best of their ability - including spending their allocated budget on the fabric of the place (much to the glee of various visitors to this board !). A few operators will come and go, but the much-needed profit is unlikely to materialise.
However......
Playing devil's advocate, during the dying days of EUjet, many of us on ADVFN reckoned it would last till April 06 (apart from the huge crowd of numpties who said it would last forever). Only one, lone, visionary voice said it would die in July 05 - and he was right!!
Catflaps - perhaps you also possess this vision !
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Whitstable
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INFRATIL stands for INFRAstructure and uTILities. This what they do, not housing development. There will with any luck be construction on the site but I am sure it will be Aviation related and not high density housing. After all by 2009 two jags Prescott and his housing plan for the South East will be long gone!
IH
IH