Manston Reactivating ?
The abysmal infrastructure currently in place for crossing the Thames (the Dartford crossing) doesn't improve the airport's appeal for cargo operators.
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I believe the lower crossing is very much on the back burner at the moment. On the positive side, if the closure of Ashford International station becomes permanent, I could see flights to Paris, Amsterdam and selective UK destinations doing well.
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If the numbers are there then there will be flights. Nothing to do with gullible locals. There are plenty in Kent who fly from Gatwick or Stansted and the likes of Ryanair or Easyjet will certainly give it a shot if the demand is there.
I actually used EUjet when they were operating from Manston. I lived at the time over an hour away. The experience at Manston was said to be great, so I wanted to try it. On return I was off the plane and in the car in under 10 minutes. That included getting my bag off the reclaim. It was a great little set up. I even converted some friends into trying it. They’d never heard of it, but were also sold on the experience and booked again. Remember back then we didn’t have a small viable alternative airport to the London four. Southend wasn’t redeveloped at this point. London City was always expensive and meant a journey into London, mostly catered to the business traveller.
Unfortunately EUjet tried too hard to expand. They were running out of money fast. Some of their routes made no sense. Then (was it Plane Station?) the owners purchased EUjet. The story then becomes very similar to Southend /Stobart/Stobart Air. But looking ahead I’d say there’s definitely some scope for a few bucket & spade routes, as have featured in the past. But cargo is where RSP plan to start.
Interestingly Thanet Parkway station opened last year. An air/bus/rail link could provide a fast(ish) journey time to London. But is that the market they’re going for? I’d like to think RSP in the last seven years have done their homework. Time will tell.
Unfortunately EUjet tried too hard to expand. They were running out of money fast. Some of their routes made no sense. Then (was it Plane Station?) the owners purchased EUjet. The story then becomes very similar to Southend /Stobart/Stobart Air. But looking ahead I’d say there’s definitely some scope for a few bucket & spade routes, as have featured in the past. But cargo is where RSP plan to start.
Interestingly Thanet Parkway station opened last year. An air/bus/rail link could provide a fast(ish) journey time to London. But is that the market they’re going for? I’d like to think RSP in the last seven years have done their homework. Time will tell.
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I actually used EUjet when they were operating from Manston. I lived at the time over an hour away. The experience at Manston was said to be great, so I wanted to try it. On return I was off the plane and in the car in under 10 minutes. That included getting my bag off the reclaim. It was a great little set up. I even converted some friends into trying it. They’d never heard of it, but were also sold on the experience and booked again. Remember back then we didn’t have a small viable alternative airport to the London four. Southend wasn’t redeveloped at this point. London City was always expensive and meant a journey into London, mostly catered to the business traveller.
Unfortunately EUjet tried too hard to expand. They were running out of money fast. Some of their routes made no sense. Then (was it Plane Station?) the owners purchased EUjet. The story then becomes very similar to Southend /Stobart/Stobart Air. But looking ahead I’d say there’s definitely some scope for a few bucket & spade routes, as have featured in the past. But cargo is where RSP plan to start.
Interestingly Thanet Parkway station opened last year. An air/bus/rail link could provide a fast(ish) journey time to London. But is that the market they’re going for? I’d like to think RSP in the last seven years have done their homework. Time will tell.
Unfortunately EUjet tried too hard to expand. They were running out of money fast. Some of their routes made no sense. Then (was it Plane Station?) the owners purchased EUjet. The story then becomes very similar to Southend /Stobart/Stobart Air. But looking ahead I’d say there’s definitely some scope for a few bucket & spade routes, as have featured in the past. But cargo is where RSP plan to start.
Interestingly Thanet Parkway station opened last year. An air/bus/rail link could provide a fast(ish) journey time to London. But is that the market they’re going for? I’d like to think RSP in the last seven years have done their homework. Time will tell.
I got a train from Canterbury to somewhere I forget now, missed the shuttle bus which then had a long wait and got a taxi instead. The terminal experience was nice enough from what I remember. Managed to get the shuttle on the way back which was a crappy minibus with steps and no luggage space. Long wait for a train back to Canterbury. Whilst some of this was out of their control a poor public transport experience doesnt help.
I was not surprised at all when it all collapsed the following summer.
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All these potential EU travelers to and from Kent. We had 2 stations providing this facility via the Eurostar and that service was withdrawn due to Covid but also lack of users. I fear the same fate for Manston as the talk of cargo flights initially providing sufficient income is nonsense.
All these potential EU travelers to and from Kent. We had 2 stations providing this facility via the Eurostar and that service was withdrawn due to Covid but also lack of users. I fear the same fate for Manston as the talk of cargo flights initially providing sufficient income is nonsense.
All this talk of a reopened Manston is absolutely ridiculous. It's not needed and it's not practical. The whole idea is beyond a joke.
