MANSTON -3
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: EGMH..a down, not yet out, formerly awesome airfield
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TG Aviation,Modern Jet support and polar helicopters are all based in the airfield i believe.
Join Date: Jul 2004
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a credible backer who says he can make it work
It's not going to happen overnight but, as I posted previously, Manston is not going to break even nor profit from passenger ops, NQY have had an aircraft (part of it flying) museum move in, Kemble makes a living from general aviation and an aircraft knackers yard, there's talk of Llanbedr opening up as a knackers yard (or similar), CWL has a significant BA maintenance base part paying the bills, whilst it seems Manston have been wasting their bets on passenger ops moving in.
Sure KLM, so long as they haven't been p1ssed off already, is a nice slice of bread and butter but Manston needs to broaden it's horizons to survive.
Interestingly, many years ago when the late and unlamented Wiggins took over the place, they initially proposed developing it as a freight ‘hub’. Unfortunately, rather than stick to their guns, they were quickly seduced by the idea of owning a big, sexy airport and became over-ambitious; Kent International was re-branded as ‘London’ Manston and they tried to target significant passenger operations. Eventually, of course, they bit off more than they could chew with EUJet and the whole shebang folded.
The tragedy is that they may have had the right idea initially. I don’t think that Manston was ever going to attract huge numbers of passengers, but (IMO) it had attributes that made it attractive as a freight based airport. It was always going to take time and investment to build that business up, though, and I don’t think Wiggins had the patience to do that.
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I see that KLM are suspending MSE ops from April pending the outcome of the consultation.
cs
cs
Still planning crew training tomorrow though, not cutting their links yet :-)
Assuming the rumour referred to by fire3 is correct, is there a plan to obtain more fuel at least until the start of May when the 45 day consultation period ends, or has the airport effectively already started shutting itself down ?
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Not Looking Good
Fuel is no longer being purchased for the airport, Cargolux diverted yesterday because local council food inspectors did not turn up.
Consortium withdraws offer for threatened Manston Airport
Fuel is no longer being purchased for the airport, Cargolux diverted yesterday because local council food inspectors did not turn up.
Consortium withdraws offer for threatened Manston Airport
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It seems clear that Ann Gloag, who paid £1 for the airport only a few short months ago had planned to close Manston before even handing her £1 over. The canny business women would have seen the books and the prospects for turning the airport around before buying Manston but has made no real attempt to do so.
The truth is that maybe Manston could not be saved but to buy that much land for a £1 for a rolling loss of £10,000 a day that could be ended quite soon means that the 71 year old will have a nice comfortable retirement.
Not only will she be closing Manston down but also all the businesses based at the airport that need an active airport to operate from but then you only become Scotland's richest women by being ruthless.
The truth is that maybe Manston could not be saved but to buy that much land for a £1 for a rolling loss of £10,000 a day that could be ended quite soon means that the 71 year old will have a nice comfortable retirement.
Not only will she be closing Manston down but also all the businesses based at the airport that need an active airport to operate from but then you only become Scotland's richest women by being ruthless.
Last edited by LTNman; 5th Apr 2014 at 07:27.
While I have great sympathy for people whose jobs are under great risk, was there any other credible person or company willing to sustain the losses of Manston and keep the airport open long term ?
I know a consortium has been mentioned this week by the local MP, but why didn't they look at a bid last year ? It's very easy to show interest and ask to look at the books - quite different to actually put up the cash, deploy management team and sustain daily losses...
I know a consortium has been mentioned this week by the local MP, but why didn't they look at a bid last year ? It's very easy to show interest and ask to look at the books - quite different to actually put up the cash, deploy management team and sustain daily losses...
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Just to pick up on the comments made by ltnman
What businesses are based at MSE ? Both requiring an active airfield and those that don't ?
I'm aware that bristow are planning to base the SAR chopper at the airfield bit genuinely would be interested to know what else ?
cs
What businesses are based at MSE ? Both requiring an active airfield and those that don't ?
I'm aware that bristow are planning to base the SAR chopper at the airfield bit genuinely would be interested to know what else ?
cs
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Well, there is TG Aviation, which encompasses Thanet Flying Club, Flight training, GA engineering with some hangarage. There's the cargo handlers, passenger terminal staff. There are several large airliners 747s which I believe are being dismantled. ATC staff. Bristow Helicopters are due to arrive within a couple of years to operate 2 SAR Helicopters, to be based there.
On the non flying side, there are two Museum buildings covering the RAF Manston History and one houses a Spitfire that saw wartime service and I believe has 3 kills. TB752 I think in great condition as it was refurbised to a high standard about 1980 and has been housed inside a special built building since then, and an MOD Fireman Training School.
On the non flying side, there are two Museum buildings covering the RAF Manston History and one houses a Spitfire that saw wartime service and I believe has 3 kills. TB752 I think in great condition as it was refurbised to a high standard about 1980 and has been housed inside a special built building since then, and an MOD Fireman Training School.
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I hope TG Aviation is putting a case together for retention of the eastern end as an airfield. Retaining the runway as far as B2 would give them about 750m which is more than enough for most GA purposes and for the SAR helis.
NS
NS