MANSTON -3
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Manston Airport £1 sale confirmed as Alastair Welch appointed to turn its fortunes around - News - Kent News
The sale of Manston Airport was confirmed this afternoon - with its new owner parachuting in a “turnaround specialist” in a bid to fulfil its potential.
The airfield in Thanet was sold for £1 by Infratil after it was put on the market in March 2012.
Earlier this year Ann Gloag, the co-founder of the Stagecoach empire revealed she was negotiating to buy it. The total cost of the deal will end up being around £350,000.
Charles Buchanan, the airport’s chief executive, will remain at the helm, but will be joined by Alastair Welch.
Mr Welch was previously managing director of Southend Airport - overseeing it undergo a major transformation. He left in July.
Multi-millionaire Ann Gloag will be hoping he can do the same at Manston.
In a statement, she said: “As the new owner of Manston Airport, I am ready to work on investigating opportunities for growth at Manston.
“I have over 30 years experience in the transport industry and will use that expertise as best as I can to optimise both freight and passenger growth at Manston.
“To help me in that challenge, I am delighted to have on board Alastair Welch. He will lead our work at the airport, working alongside Charles Buchanan and the wider Manston team as we scope the future strategy of the business.
“Whilst this is a loss making airport, I hope that with the co-operation of our neighbours and the wider community of Kent, the airport partners and staff, we can capitalise on the opportunities available to give Kent the best chance possible of having a successful and vibrant airport.”
Mr Welch added: “Our focus will be on doing what we need to do to build a successful business and we are looking at all options to give us the best chance of achieving that.
“For the airport to thrive and fulfil its potential, it is vital that we create an environment where new partners are attracted to do business at Manston.
“We are already working hard exploring a number of opportunities and we greatly appreciate the positive support we have received from key stakeholders and staff so far.
“Manston’s future not only depends on Ann Gloag and our team, it also depends on a collaborative approach from everyone in Kent who wants the airport to thrive. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to make this happen.
“In the meantime, the twice daily KLM flights connecting the people of Kent to worldwide destinations via Amsterdam continue to be very popular and the Manston team looks forward to welcoming even more passengers in the future.”
The sale of Manston Airport was confirmed this afternoon - with its new owner parachuting in a “turnaround specialist” in a bid to fulfil its potential.
The airfield in Thanet was sold for £1 by Infratil after it was put on the market in March 2012.
Earlier this year Ann Gloag, the co-founder of the Stagecoach empire revealed she was negotiating to buy it. The total cost of the deal will end up being around £350,000.
Charles Buchanan, the airport’s chief executive, will remain at the helm, but will be joined by Alastair Welch.
Mr Welch was previously managing director of Southend Airport - overseeing it undergo a major transformation. He left in July.
Multi-millionaire Ann Gloag will be hoping he can do the same at Manston.
In a statement, she said: “As the new owner of Manston Airport, I am ready to work on investigating opportunities for growth at Manston.
“I have over 30 years experience in the transport industry and will use that expertise as best as I can to optimise both freight and passenger growth at Manston.
“To help me in that challenge, I am delighted to have on board Alastair Welch. He will lead our work at the airport, working alongside Charles Buchanan and the wider Manston team as we scope the future strategy of the business.
“Whilst this is a loss making airport, I hope that with the co-operation of our neighbours and the wider community of Kent, the airport partners and staff, we can capitalise on the opportunities available to give Kent the best chance possible of having a successful and vibrant airport.”
Mr Welch added: “Our focus will be on doing what we need to do to build a successful business and we are looking at all options to give us the best chance of achieving that.
“For the airport to thrive and fulfil its potential, it is vital that we create an environment where new partners are attracted to do business at Manston.
“We are already working hard exploring a number of opportunities and we greatly appreciate the positive support we have received from key stakeholders and staff so far.
“Manston’s future not only depends on Ann Gloag and our team, it also depends on a collaborative approach from everyone in Kent who wants the airport to thrive. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to make this happen.
“In the meantime, the twice daily KLM flights connecting the people of Kent to worldwide destinations via Amsterdam continue to be very popular and the Manston team looks forward to welcoming even more passengers in the future.”
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Well, Mr Welch worked wonders at Southend. Maybe he can do the same for Manston. However, he really only needed to secure the finance to extend the runway and build a new terminal with railway station at SEN and the passengers would come because of the large local catchment and the ease of access from London. Manston already has the runway, but does it have the large local catchment and ease of access to a more distant capital...?
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What Manston needs is RyanAir. There's really not anyone else to try (or fail). I know Plane Station in their days had little interest in FR, but maybe the new owners will? A full car park is better than one that's 1/8th full to generate some funds?
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I would love to see Manston successful. It's got pretty much everything it needs to work well. I think if Ryanair were to go in, others would follow. There are a lot of people in that area of Kent who have to travel a long way to get to LGW or LHR.
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Manston Might be ripe for the picking asper your suggestion.
Think of the Advertising. But then Ive read today about Hurn. Does that actually have a chance of working out.?. Or do they have an operation lined up waiting to start up.
Think of the Advertising. But then Ive read today about Hurn. Does that actually have a chance of working out.?. Or do they have an operation lined up waiting to start up.
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Well Ann Gloag is a very determined and focused woman.
Ann Gloag - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
When she was a boss of Stagecoach, she managed to force out or take over lots of other bus companies. Her (some would say ruthless) entrepreneurial skills made her a millionairess This is a bit of a different ball-game though.
Hope Manston Airport has a Chapel!
Ann Gloag - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
When she was a boss of Stagecoach, she managed to force out or take over lots of other bus companies. Her (some would say ruthless) entrepreneurial skills made her a millionairess This is a bit of a different ball-game though.
Hope Manston Airport has a Chapel!
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Originally Posted by MARKEYD:8181637
onyxcrowle
What have you read about Hurn ( i guess you mean Bournemouth ) what has it to do with Manston ?
What have you read about Hurn ( i guess you mean Bournemouth ) what has it to do with Manston ?
I heard from a friend whose LHR bound flight was diverted to Manston due to heavy fog last week, that EGMH was pretty full of other aircraft being held/waiting/being fuelled. Was this really the case, and if so how would the staffing levels allow for such a jump in traffic ?
SHJ
SHJ
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KL AMS
CAA stats for January show 3136 pax (arrivals plus departures). Assuming 2 flights per day I make this about 25 pax per flight. Based on an 80 seat F70 that's a seat factor of 32%.
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Closing?
BBC News - Manston Airport holds consultation over possible closure
Manston Airport holds consultation over possible closure
A Kent airport is holding a consultation over its possible closure, the BBC has learnt.
Staff at loss-making Manston Airport were given details about the 45-day consultation on Wednesday.
The airport was bought by Ann Gloag, who co-founded the Stagecoach Group, for a £1 in October last year.
BBC South East business correspondent Mark Norman said: "I understand the business is losing money and may have to close."
The airport employs about 150 staff.
Manston Airport holds consultation over possible closure
A Kent airport is holding a consultation over its possible closure, the BBC has learnt.
Staff at loss-making Manston Airport were given details about the 45-day consultation on Wednesday.
The airport was bought by Ann Gloag, who co-founded the Stagecoach Group, for a £1 in October last year.
BBC South East business correspondent Mark Norman said: "I understand the business is losing money and may have to close."
The airport employs about 150 staff.
Last edited by Twitcher; 19th Mar 2014 at 12:24.
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Consoltation over Manston Airport closure | Thanet Gazette
MANSTON Airport could shut after Thanet councillors were informed that consultations are taking place over a possible closure.
Councillors were informed of the move at around 10:30am this morning (Wednesday). Council leader Clive Hart had reportedly met with airport bosses several times in the past few weeks.
Closure of the airport could result in up to 150 job losses.
MANSTON Airport could shut after Thanet councillors were informed that consultations are taking place over a possible closure.
Councillors were informed of the move at around 10:30am this morning (Wednesday). Council leader Clive Hart had reportedly met with airport bosses several times in the past few weeks.
Closure of the airport could result in up to 150 job losses.