MANSTON -3
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Train station
Davidjohnson6: Thanks for clearing it up. Either way can two flights a day really justify even a dedicated bus service? I mean what the hell is the bus suppose to do for the rest of the time?
SWBKCB: Now it makes a lot more sense. Basically a bone thrown by a developer to get the local authority to rubber stamp whatever is put in front of them.
I think a village to the very west of Kent is unlikely to be appealing to people wanting to travel to London. What possible edge could it have? Then again maybe disillusion will set in.
SWBKCB: Now it makes a lot more sense. Basically a bone thrown by a developer to get the local authority to rubber stamp whatever is put in front of them.
I think a village to the very west of Kent is unlikely to be appealing to people wanting to travel to London. What possible edge could it have? Then again maybe disillusion will set in.
SWBKCB: Now it makes a lot more sense. Basically a bone thrown by a developer to get the local authority to rubber stamp whatever is put in front of them.
the next Big Thing in European aviation might come from an innovative start-up
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New Parkway station
The new rail station will be 1.8 miles from the airport, a 3 minute bus transfer journey time. The line uses the high speed javelin service and links the airport to Stratford and St Pancras via the existing HS1 line. Journey times predicted to be under 1 hour to St. Pancras. Same journey time as Luton, Stansted and Southend.
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1.8 miles? Well that's only like walking to Ryanair's last gate at Stansted or Pier D in Dublin!
Maybe they should relocate the terminal instead - have a check-in desk at the rail station and bus people directly to the aircraft steps.
FWIW, I think Manston still has potential (much more than Lydd) but is in the same mindset as so many other regional airfields, trying desperately to talk itself up and offer the same miserable travel experience as the "serious" airports. These smaller, quieter facilities could provide a radically different aviation experience if they showed some imagination, and the CEOs disparaging comments re Lydd might come back to haunt him.
Maybe they should relocate the terminal instead - have a check-in desk at the rail station and bus people directly to the aircraft steps.
FWIW, I think Manston still has potential (much more than Lydd) but is in the same mindset as so many other regional airfields, trying desperately to talk itself up and offer the same miserable travel experience as the "serious" airports. These smaller, quieter facilities could provide a radically different aviation experience if they showed some imagination, and the CEOs disparaging comments re Lydd might come back to haunt him.
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Manston Sold
Infratil have confirmed on their website today that Manston has been sold for £1 (plus some adjustments) to Lothian Shelf (710) Limited - wholly owned by Ann Gloag (formerly of Stagecoach who used to own Prestwick!). Sale should be completed by late November.
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Location: EGMH..a down, not yet out, formerly awesome airfield
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The full statement..
Infratil Limited has agreed to sell Manston Airport to Lothian Shelf (710) Limited, an entity wholly owned by Ann Gloag, for cash consideration of £1 plus an adjustment for working capital variances and cash injected by Infratil between 14 October 2013 and transaction completion (which is expected to be around GBP350,000). Ann Gloag is an experienced investor who co-founded Stagecoach Group, the UK-listed public transport operator, along with her brother, Brian Souter.
“Infratil Limited is very pleased to have found an acquiror with a vision for Manston Airport’s future development.” said Marko Bogoievski, Chief Executive of Infratil. “From Infratil’s perspective, while Manston was a very small part of the company’s overall asset base, this sale will result in a more focused portfolio and improve our future cash flow position.”
“I am delighted to have purchased Manston Airport from Infratil as I believe there is real potential for growth that has not been fully captured.” said Ann Gloag.
“Having worked in the transport industry for over 30 years, I believe I am very well placed to help maximise opportunities for both freight and passengers at Manston.”
Following the sale of this asset and the proposed sale of Glasgow Prestwick Airport to the Scottish Government announced last week, Infratil expects to impair these assets by approximately GBP11 million in its half year financial statements to 30 September 2013.
Completion and settlement of the Manston Airport sale will occur on 29 November 2013 (or earlier, at the purchaser’s request), and is only conditional on matters within Infratil’s control.
Infratil - Infratil agrees to sell Manston Airport
Infratil Limited has agreed to sell Manston Airport to Lothian Shelf (710) Limited, an entity wholly owned by Ann Gloag, for cash consideration of £1 plus an adjustment for working capital variances and cash injected by Infratil between 14 October 2013 and transaction completion (which is expected to be around GBP350,000). Ann Gloag is an experienced investor who co-founded Stagecoach Group, the UK-listed public transport operator, along with her brother, Brian Souter.
“Infratil Limited is very pleased to have found an acquiror with a vision for Manston Airport’s future development.” said Marko Bogoievski, Chief Executive of Infratil. “From Infratil’s perspective, while Manston was a very small part of the company’s overall asset base, this sale will result in a more focused portfolio and improve our future cash flow position.”
“I am delighted to have purchased Manston Airport from Infratil as I believe there is real potential for growth that has not been fully captured.” said Ann Gloag.
“Having worked in the transport industry for over 30 years, I believe I am very well placed to help maximise opportunities for both freight and passengers at Manston.”
Following the sale of this asset and the proposed sale of Glasgow Prestwick Airport to the Scottish Government announced last week, Infratil expects to impair these assets by approximately GBP11 million in its half year financial statements to 30 September 2013.
Completion and settlement of the Manston Airport sale will occur on 29 November 2013 (or earlier, at the purchaser’s request), and is only conditional on matters within Infratil’s control.
Infratil - Infratil agrees to sell Manston Airport
CAA stats
3,821 passengers on the Amsterdam route.
Assuming a double daily, this means 127 pax per day (a little short of the target of 149 pax per day) or 31.8 pax per one-way flight. Assuming a 80-seat F70, this gives a load factor of 40%
Assuming a double daily, this means 127 pax per day (a little short of the target of 149 pax per day) or 31.8 pax per one-way flight. Assuming a 80-seat F70, this gives a load factor of 40%
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I am a fan of Manston, so I hope that it flourishes under this new ownership.
I was on the first flight out to Amsterdam with EU-Jet a few years ago, and was disappointed that they shut down. It took me the same time to drive to Manston as it would to Gatwick from here, but it only took 3 minutes to get parked and to the check in desk at Manston. Then a leisurely boarding and a quick hop to Amsterdam, great. For me it worked, and I would happily use it again. I only recently found out that KLM were flying the AMS route so will now see if I can get this into my travel plans.
As I see it, Manston's catchment area is such a small arc of the country that it is very difficult to attract that many people and airlines, so maybe it should be balanced by lower airport taxes to encourage the use. Yes I guess I am saying subsidies!
I just did a quick exercise to see if it was cheaper to fly from AMS to HKG versus LHR to HKG, if it was cheaper because of not paying UK APD then this could be an advantage but excluding the fare to AMS it was at least £180 more to fly from AMS excluding the MSE to AMS flight! So this plan wouldn't work!
What might help is if the train stopped right outside, ok this may need a bit of new track, or they could do a light railway or tram. If Manston can make people aware that it is quick and easy, and there were a few more airlines flying to a few more places it surely would be more successful?
I was on the first flight out to Amsterdam with EU-Jet a few years ago, and was disappointed that they shut down. It took me the same time to drive to Manston as it would to Gatwick from here, but it only took 3 minutes to get parked and to the check in desk at Manston. Then a leisurely boarding and a quick hop to Amsterdam, great. For me it worked, and I would happily use it again. I only recently found out that KLM were flying the AMS route so will now see if I can get this into my travel plans.
As I see it, Manston's catchment area is such a small arc of the country that it is very difficult to attract that many people and airlines, so maybe it should be balanced by lower airport taxes to encourage the use. Yes I guess I am saying subsidies!
I just did a quick exercise to see if it was cheaper to fly from AMS to HKG versus LHR to HKG, if it was cheaper because of not paying UK APD then this could be an advantage but excluding the fare to AMS it was at least £180 more to fly from AMS excluding the MSE to AMS flight! So this plan wouldn't work!
What might help is if the train stopped right outside, ok this may need a bit of new track, or they could do a light railway or tram. If Manston can make people aware that it is quick and easy, and there were a few more airlines flying to a few more places it surely would be more successful?
Last edited by flyingman-of-kent; 16th Oct 2013 at 18:31. Reason: slight omision
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Manston's fees are quite reasonable compared to other "London" airports, with a simple "per passenger" all-in fee (no landing charge) for scheduled services. No subsidy needed. I offered Infratil £10 for the airport a year ago ... bet they wish they'd taken it now. 
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£1
And so the prospect and support of a dedicated railway station (or even shuttle bus) reaches a new level of absurdity.
I think the fact the owner was willing to part with Manston for a solitary pound gives some insight into the future prospects of an airport in the ass end of nowhere.
I think the fact the owner was willing to part with Manston for a solitary pound gives some insight into the future prospects of an airport in the ass end of nowhere.
Pilot of the Airwaves
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Wish I'd bought the airport for £1, or even been offered it,
The scrap value of the 747s and DC8s is more than that.
Decent local beer to be had as well, Gadds,
The scrap value of the 747s and DC8s is more than that.
Decent local beer to be had as well, Gadds,
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Onwards and upwards though ..
Flights September 2013: Up 204% compared with Sept 2012
Total Flights Rolling 2013: Up 42.7% compared with Sept 2012
Passengers September 2013: Up 301.7% compared with Sept 2012
Total Passengers 2013: an impressive 103.1% rise on the same period last year
use http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/80/airport...Statistics.pdf for actual pax stats
Flights September 2013: Up 204% compared with Sept 2012
Total Flights Rolling 2013: Up 42.7% compared with Sept 2012
Passengers September 2013: Up 301.7% compared with Sept 2012
Total Passengers 2013: an impressive 103.1% rise on the same period last year
use http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/80/airport...Statistics.pdf for actual pax stats
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Starting 13 November 2013, Cargolux will expand its network to South America.
Flight CV7643 leaves Luxembourg every Wednesday and is routed to
Buenos Aires via Viracopos, Brazil. CV7654, the return flight from Argentina, touches down in Latacunga, Bogota, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico and Manston before returning to Luxembourg on Thursdays.
Flight CV7643 leaves Luxembourg every Wednesday and is routed to
Buenos Aires via Viracopos, Brazil. CV7654, the return flight from Argentina, touches down in Latacunga, Bogota, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico and Manston before returning to Luxembourg on Thursdays.
Passengers September 2013: Up 301.7% compared with Sept 2012
Be interested to see the October stats on the MSE-AMS once they're available. It does seem to be slowly gaining traction.
CAA passenger stats
Sep 2012
Billund 124 charter pax
Naples 294 charter pax
Verona 296 charter pax
Jersey 256 charter pax
Total = 970 pax
Sep 2013
Amsterdam 3,821 scheduled pax - ie KLM
Madrid 3 charter pax
Total = 3,824 pax
Admittedly there seems to be some sort of minor inconsistency in the CAA numbers, but a difference of less than 20 pax in a month across all routes is rather irrelevant when trying to analyse an airport's performance as a whole.
Billund 124 charter pax
Naples 294 charter pax
Verona 296 charter pax
Jersey 256 charter pax
Total = 970 pax
Sep 2013
Amsterdam 3,821 scheduled pax - ie KLM
Madrid 3 charter pax
Total = 3,824 pax
Admittedly there seems to be some sort of minor inconsistency in the CAA numbers, but a difference of less than 20 pax in a month across all routes is rather irrelevant when trying to analyse an airport's performance as a whole.
CAA passenger stats
Jes - I'm impressed with your estimate of pax in October
Manston-Amsterdam had 4,343 passengers in Oct 2013, so 35 pax per flight or a load factor of 43.8%
Manston-Amsterdam had 4,343 passengers in Oct 2013, so 35 pax per flight or a load factor of 43.8%