MANSTON -2
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Looking for something the other day and found this on the RAF Manston entry in Wikipedia:
Charter Airlines & Destinations
Air Malta (Malta) [One off charter 20 November 2007]
Astraeus (Funchal) [One off charter 9 April 2008]
Eurofly (Naples) [One off charter 28 September 2007]
British Midland (Alicante, Faro, Palma-Mallorca) [Operate May-October 2007] - Services to be flown by Futura International Airways during the month of October 2007
Smart Wings (Prague) [One off charter 14 December 20.
It ain't going to keep the wolf from the door but . . .
Charter Airlines & Destinations
Air Malta (Malta) [One off charter 20 November 2007]
Astraeus (Funchal) [One off charter 9 April 2008]
Eurofly (Naples) [One off charter 28 September 2007]
British Midland (Alicante, Faro, Palma-Mallorca) [Operate May-October 2007] - Services to be flown by Futura International Airways during the month of October 2007
Smart Wings (Prague) [One off charter 14 December 20.
It ain't going to keep the wolf from the door but . . .
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Looks like Barnaby's request to stop discussing occasional aircraft movement has fallen on deaf ears !!!
Regarding income at MSE -
There is a rumour that I might buy a coffee in the snack bar today.
I may also purchase a cake.
Regarding income at MSE -
There is a rumour that I might buy a coffee in the snack bar today.
I may also purchase a cake.
niknak
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I don't think that there are many who have "a problem" with Manston, indeed the vast majority of us would be very happy if the airport was a rip roaring success.
Unfortunately its very unlikely that it will be.
The current owners have spent a lot of money in the purchase and development of Manston and are spending a small fortune every week in operating costs.
The return has been anywhere between nil and not a lot, that continues to be the case.
There are a few large a/c operating freight flights every week and the occassional passenger charter, along with the very limited numbers of G/A aircraft - this brings in badly needed revenue but (aside from G/A) it's highly likely that they have been given very significant discounts on standard charges to operate at Manston.
The "bizjets" you mentioned on a previous post, were training at the airport, along with some other major operators and I accept that this is revenue which is cost free to the airport, i.e the money they get is all profit.
It's my opinion, rightly or wrongly, that those who get excited at the appearance of a few large jets and spout forth great things about Manston being a success are deluded, it's no different from any other commercial business, it has to make a great deal of money to make a small profit.
I really do wish Manston and it's owners every success, but being an old cynical fart who's just about seen everything there is to see in the aviation business, someone is going to have to have a bloody big duster to make this gem shine.
Unfortunately its very unlikely that it will be.
The current owners have spent a lot of money in the purchase and development of Manston and are spending a small fortune every week in operating costs.
The return has been anywhere between nil and not a lot, that continues to be the case.
There are a few large a/c operating freight flights every week and the occassional passenger charter, along with the very limited numbers of G/A aircraft - this brings in badly needed revenue but (aside from G/A) it's highly likely that they have been given very significant discounts on standard charges to operate at Manston.
The "bizjets" you mentioned on a previous post, were training at the airport, along with some other major operators and I accept that this is revenue which is cost free to the airport, i.e the money they get is all profit.
It's my opinion, rightly or wrongly, that those who get excited at the appearance of a few large jets and spout forth great things about Manston being a success are deluded, it's no different from any other commercial business, it has to make a great deal of money to make a small profit.
I really do wish Manston and it's owners every success, but being an old cynical fart who's just about seen everything there is to see in the aviation business, someone is going to have to have a bloody big duster to make this gem shine.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Wouldn't you like to know!
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I agree with NikNak. To those of you who still witter on about the airport having potential for passenger routes, don't you think Ryanair or another low cost would have exploited this by now? People do not have a problem with the airport just with people looking at the airport through rose tinted lenses!
Join Date: Sep 2001
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If I have to reply to satisfy honeysweetcombe and add to the length of the longest thread ever to talk about little. Then I too wish Manston and its staff a long and happy existance as a viable thriving airport.
But why not write something with substance (if or when it happens), rather than everytime someone moves a shovel or the odd aircraft movement. I
I believe the Newcastle thread is shorter and has much more news of transatlantic operations, multimillion pound control towers etc etc
But why not write something with substance (if or when it happens), rather than everytime someone moves a shovel or the odd aircraft movement. I
I believe the Newcastle thread is shorter and has much more news of transatlantic operations, multimillion pound control towers etc etc
niknak
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Barnaby
The thread is worthy of continuation purely because Manston is one of the few UK airports which has so much riding on it, it may be a huge success or tipple into oblivion.
Until judgement day arrives, keep it going.
The thread is worthy of continuation purely because Manston is one of the few UK airports which has so much riding on it, it may be a huge success or tipple into oblivion.
Until judgement day arrives, keep it going.
Join Date: Apr 2006
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In 2008 we will find out if it was true that it said on Wikipedia that was removed about ryanair baseing Two 737 at Manston in 2008?
James
James
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Please don't misunderstand. I don't want to see the Manston thread removed. I just get frustrasted clicking on it thinking that a big announcement about a possible sustainable future for such a large runway'd historic airport which is providing people with a livelyhood, only to be greeted every time with news of a C152 carrying a Mars Bar as freight or a one off charter.. I have done it again added to the thread to make post number 384764788376837687648763873268734698.
Join Date: Jun 2005
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Thank you Barnaby Bear for your reply!!! I, like you am fed up with negativity on this thread. Everdentially half of us on this site look through rose tinted glasses while others have blinkers on and are very tunnel visioned. I take it those that dont want the airport to work want more houses which will then affect the hospitals and schools etc around the Thanet area. Dont think that would be a good move, do you?
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I agree. This thread has recieved quite a number of 'negative' posts. I am in no position of authority, but can I perhaps suggest that posters include suggestions of possible solutions that might be of use to MSE, rather than just posting a negative comment!
How much of an impact has the failure of EUJet had on the potential of the airport?
Has the failure/closure of MSE in the past warded off other airlines from operating services to/from MSE?
What could/should Infratil do in order to encourage further growth in the passenger market in order to further increase revenues...?
I don't think that there are many who have "a problem" with Manston, indeed the vast majority of us would be very happy if the airport was a rip roaring success. Unfortunately its very unlikely that it will be.
Has the failure/closure of MSE in the past warded off other airlines from operating services to/from MSE?
What could/should Infratil do in order to encourage further growth in the passenger market in order to further increase revenues...?
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I don't think the failure of EU Jet is to blame. If anything EUJet showed the airport can support a few key routes but can't hosta full airline base as EUJet attempted.
However, I really cannot see anyone offering routes to the airport. When Ryanair and Easy open new bases they usually like to open with a fanfare and base at least 3-4 aircraft, something with Manston cannot sustain.
The airport needs to be able to offer itself as a viable alternative to the London airport's. However, the only way to do this is to improve the transport infrastructure surrounding the airport which is out of Infratil's hands and in the control of the relevant authorities. However, what chance is there of the transport being improved when there is no current real passenger operations and no future prospect of passenger flights?
However, I really cannot see anyone offering routes to the airport. When Ryanair and Easy open new bases they usually like to open with a fanfare and base at least 3-4 aircraft, something with Manston cannot sustain.
The airport needs to be able to offer itself as a viable alternative to the London airport's. However, the only way to do this is to improve the transport infrastructure surrounding the airport which is out of Infratil's hands and in the control of the relevant authorities. However, what chance is there of the transport being improved when there is no current real passenger operations and no future prospect of passenger flights?
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I can save you the wait. It wasn't true and that's why it was removed.
If it did happen we could call them A Pair of Ryanair's
All the best
James
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The airport needs to be able to offer itself as a viable alternative to the London airport's. However, the only way to do this is to improve the transport infrastructure surrounding the airport which is out of Infratil's hands and in the control of the relevant authorities. However, what chance is there of the transport being improved when there is no current real passenger operations and no future prospect of passenger flights?
Only problem with this is that the airport will need a direct rail station to be built, but Kent County Council have said they wont support this type of action until it can be proven that MSE has the potential to reach critical mass.