MANSTON- 3
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Thanet
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Local rag reports difficulty in signing section 106 agreement with council.
This due to Infratil "failure to submit expansion plans" !!
Meanwhile, shareholder bulletin board reports expectations that IFT will take on a partner to develop "non-flying" assets at Manston.
This due to Infratil "failure to submit expansion plans" !!
Meanwhile, shareholder bulletin board reports expectations that IFT will take on a partner to develop "non-flying" assets at Manston.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Ramsgate, Kent
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Deedave has posted some factual matter, i.e. that the local press is reporting difficulties between the Council and the airport owners in agreeing what operating restrictions should be in place. He is also reporting a rumour (this is a rumour network isn't it?) that Infratil are going to begin developing parts of the airfield for non-aviation-related use. I really don't see why you should be so exercised by this.
Those of us who live near the airfield can see how run-down and dialpidated it is. We can see precious little evidence of the millions of pounds of investment that is talked about, and we can see few flights. Most people I speak to now believe that the EUjet saga was the penultimate chapter in Manston's (previously distinguished) history. The final chapter involves converting the runway into a dual carriageway, to link Ramsgate to the Thanet Way, and carving up the rest of the site for a mixed commercial/residential development.
There are lots of people out there who thought it could have worked; possibly the same people who thought the Millenium Dome would be a success. In business, good ideas often founder on the rock of practicality. If it weren't so, we'd all be very rich by investing in sure-fire winners. Sadly there's no such thing, and it's disingenuous to pretend that Manston is bound to succeed.
Those of us who live near the airfield can see how run-down and dialpidated it is. We can see precious little evidence of the millions of pounds of investment that is talked about, and we can see few flights. Most people I speak to now believe that the EUjet saga was the penultimate chapter in Manston's (previously distinguished) history. The final chapter involves converting the runway into a dual carriageway, to link Ramsgate to the Thanet Way, and carving up the rest of the site for a mixed commercial/residential development.
There are lots of people out there who thought it could have worked; possibly the same people who thought the Millenium Dome would be a success. In business, good ideas often founder on the rock of practicality. If it weren't so, we'd all be very rich by investing in sure-fire winners. Sadly there's no such thing, and it's disingenuous to pretend that Manston is bound to succeed.
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Coastal
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Several recent posts have been moved to Spotters forum and may be found here: http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...hlight=Manston
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Up in The Air
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Catflaps- they need to change Manston into a Casino, like they are doing at the Dome! Must be some native Thanitonians, who like the Native Americans, could get something back from the Government by opening a Casino!
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Thanet
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The casino idea is reasonable, but I still think the place would make a great movie studio.
XL chose a good spot to make their video.
The noise at a proper airport would make such a project difficult, but with only one or two turnarounds a day at MSE it is blissfully quiet.
The artist William Turner said Thanet had the best skies in Europe, and think of the great remake potential !!! - "Reach for the Skies", "Dambusters", "The way to the Stars", and a great runway for the final scene in "Casablanca".
XL chose a good spot to make their video.
The noise at a proper airport would make such a project difficult, but with only one or two turnarounds a day at MSE it is blissfully quiet.
The artist William Turner said Thanet had the best skies in Europe, and think of the great remake potential !!! - "Reach for the Skies", "Dambusters", "The way to the Stars", and a great runway for the final scene in "Casablanca".
no casino and no movie studio 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Herne Bay
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Investment at KIA
I passed the Airport a few days ago, and noticed a lot of work has been done, a new radar system, a man also told me the whole place has been rewired all the runways and taxiways.
The owners are investing in the infrasture and I understand trying to make the most of the site by renting out spare land for non aircraft use, that's the way to make money.
With flights next year to the USA and cargo at record levels Things have never looked so good for KIA
The owners are investing in the infrasture and I understand trying to make the most of the site by renting out spare land for non aircraft use, that's the way to make money.
With flights next year to the USA and cargo at record levels Things have never looked so good for KIA
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Middlesesx
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As a Southend (SEN) pessimist it is good to view at least someone in tune with what is more likely to happen viz catflaps. KIA is fn terminal decline, there is any amount of room at LGW / STN for cargo without carting it by road around the Uk to Kent. A further point is that very shortly large wedges of tax will be placed on aviation fuel and surcharges on tickets to combat the environmental lobby, whether this does anything postive is another matter. it will however, slow the market for loco down. SEN like KIA is always the subject of rumours that predict it providing a Euro bridge for the 2012 fiasco in east London, at least it does a reasonable amount of engineering and that is KIA.s only hope for the future particularly if you consider Cambridge airfield closure and relocation. But alas even this outlet may be to late.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: uk
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Been away for a while, but nice to get back to a place that is busier than when I left. For anyone to state that Manston is not in a steady business growth in all areas is simply incorrect.
Billy
Billy
As well as SEN, I think KIA is in a similar position to Teesside/Durham Tees Valley. They've both been bought by large 'infrastructure' companies who have either forgotten the old adage "How do you make a small fortune in aviation? Start with a large one..." or are they going to try their best for a couple of years and then turn round and say we can't make any money out of aviation, Mr Local Authority, perhaps we should use all this land for something else?? 
or am I just too cynical?
ps - not in the same league, but add Carlisle to the 'ones to watch' list as well...
or am I just too cynical?
ps - not in the same league, but add Carlisle to the 'ones to watch' list as well...
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Isle of Thanet
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Desperate to find something else with which to knock Southend and Durham TV, their denigrators have turned on dear old Manston.
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I suggest that there are differences. 2005 figures for freight tonnage handled were
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Southend 53
Durham TV 363
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The present freight figures for Manston, if (justifiably) extrapolated, are showing an annual tonnage of ca. 40,000, making it no 6 in the UK league table; this will soon rise to ca. 50,000.
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I ask you not to attack this assertion: just wait, watch and learn!
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I suggest that there are differences. 2005 figures for freight tonnage handled were
.
Southend 53
Durham TV 363
.
The present freight figures for Manston, if (justifiably) extrapolated, are showing an annual tonnage of ca. 40,000, making it no 6 in the UK league table; this will soon rise to ca. 50,000.
.
I ask you not to attack this assertion: just wait, watch and learn!
Of course there are differences, it's the similarities I'm pointing out - newish owners who haven't yet come there with the development plans they put forward initially, and plenty of scope for non-aviation development (also both been burnt by loco operators).
There is no reason why any non-aviation development can't go hand in hand with the development of thriving, sustainable regional airports (look what Peel have done at Liverpool), but the juries still out at both Manston and DTVA.
As always, we'll need to wait and see...
There is no reason why any non-aviation development can't go hand in hand with the development of thriving, sustainable regional airports (look what Peel have done at Liverpool), but the juries still out at both Manston and DTVA.
As always, we'll need to wait and see...
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Europe
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Shannon Town, Ireland; Population 8,561
Entire County Clare Area (3,147 kmē); Population 110,800
Ramsgate, England; Population 37,967
Enire Kent County Area (3,736 kmē); Population 1,621,000
Shannon Airport has been a base for Ryanair since 2001 (more or less successful).
I have no idea if Kent International Airport will ever be a base for them (or anybody else). But if it won't, please don't blame the catchment area for that. The Kent County has in fact over a third the population if compared to entire Ireland. Not counting London to the mentioned catchment area at all. But even if London is too far away to contribute significantly, to some extent it certainly would. That's why I do not understand such a pessimism at all.
I'm obviously I'm not making myself clear - the scenario I'm thinking of has nothing to do with current throughput, catchment area, etc, etc
My concerns are as follows - major multi-national company picks up rights to local airport due to either previously under performing local authority/private operator and then half-heartedly chucks a few quid at it in the hope of turning it round - if it doesn't, then turns to planning authority and says 'We tried our best to run a local airport but failed, can we now use this nice bit of land we've got rights to dirt cheap for housing/retail/business use/new Corporate HQ and make a fortune that way instead'...
My concerns are as follows - major multi-national company picks up rights to local airport due to either previously under performing local authority/private operator and then half-heartedly chucks a few quid at it in the hope of turning it round - if it doesn't, then turns to planning authority and says 'We tried our best to run a local airport but failed, can we now use this nice bit of land we've got rights to dirt cheap for housing/retail/business use/new Corporate HQ and make a fortune that way instead'...
Hope you're right as I've no particular interest in any of the airports previously mentioned, other than I'd rather see a strong regional presence than the current(?) trend to centralisation - however, as I've said before lets wait and see...
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Herne Bay
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I say a few things about how MSE is doing well and the forum comes to life.
There is slow and steady growth in all area's with the new owners.
Next year we have the flights to USA and Kent Escapes holidays.
Cargo is increasing.
If higher tax's are made on avation fuel, this may help the smaller airports as overheads are much smaller.
Only time will tell.
There is slow and steady growth in all area's with the new owners.
Next year we have the flights to USA and Kent Escapes holidays.
Cargo is increasing.
If higher tax's are made on avation fuel, this may help the smaller airports as overheads are much smaller.
Only time will tell.