Keep wishing ?

Gossip around the island says that the airport management has been fired by the new owners.

I fail to see what Manston has to offer an operator, apart from short taxi times. Why would the passenger travel over there when Gatwick is so near. The population of Kent surely wouldn't use it that much. Cargo...perfect for late departures with little agro to natives, who are either drunk and fighting or deaf and in front of the T.V.
I agree it needs to be used. We cannot let these great RAF runways go to hardcore and re-development, especially one with so much history.

I would take offence to that, if I wasnt so busy having a beer in front of my tv.

Meridian (Local TV) said lunchtime today that Infratil will be making an announcement tomorrow (1st Feb) re a new operator at Manston!!!

NEWS/PICTURE ALERT

KENT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO ANNOUNCE NEW CHARTER OPERATOR ON WEDNESDAY

KENT International Airport will announce at a News Conference tomorrow (Wednesday February 1) that it has secured a new charter operator which will start flying from the airport this summer.

It's the first such announcement since owners Infratil Airports Europe acquired the airport last year.


DATE Wednesday February 1
TIME 11.30am
PLACE Information Desk, Main Terminal Building,
Kent International Airport

what on earth have they done to their website http://www.kia-m.com/

Mods, don't worry, there's no advertising here as there's nothing on the page :eek:

I bet the colour of the website is significant!

I've nothing to base this on other than a hunch, but, could it be Thomsonfly?

First two routes announced
 

KENT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ANNOUNCES PASSENGER FLIGHTS TO BARCELONA AND FARO


Infratil Airports Europe, the new owners of Kent International Airport are delighted to announce that passenger services are returning to Kent International!

Kent Escapes part of the Seguro Travel Group, announced today that they will fly to two of Europe’s premier resorts this summer.

Flights to Faro in Portugal’s popular Algarve region and Barcelona, servicing the holiday destination of Costa Brava, will operate during daytime hours every Thursday from 25 May until 26 October 2006.

With a strong reputation among holidaymakers and travel agents alike, Seguro Holidays currently fly thousands of sun seekers out of Infratil's Scottish airport, Glasgow Prestwick each year, making it the airport’s largest tour operator with a high volume of repeat customers.

Kent Escapes are offering all their Kent customers a special introductory discount of 10% on all bookings.

Prices start from £309 for seven nights all inclusive hotel accommodation in Costa Brava, and £239 for seven nights self catering in the Algarve. The company offers a wide range of 7 and 14 day packages, with accommodation in the two star to five star range.

Richard Burke, Managing Director of The Seguro Travel Group, said: “This is great for us and great for the people of Kent as it brings affordable holidays to their local airport, and removes the inconvenience of having to travel to one of the major airports in the south east of England.”

He added: “Obviously we are starting with two destinations but this is just the beginning. We hope it can become as strong as our operation at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, where we fly 70,000 holidaymakers to seven different destinations every year.”

Phill Vann, General Manager of Kent International Airport, said: “I am delighted that Kent Escapes will bring regular passenger services to Kent International Airport over the summer and we hope they will be the first of many operators to use the excellent facilities we have here.”

He added: “Seguro is a company with an excellent reputation and a track record of providing a high level of service to its customers. This partnership is a step in the right direction for the airport and we will be doing all we can to make it work.”



Kent Escapes operates a policy of “The Price You See is the Price You Pay” – there are £0 flight supplements and no hidden costs in the small print.

All Kent Escapes holidays and flights are protected by Seguro Travel Limited ATOL 3251 and ABTA V7808 licenses.

Kent International Airport offers a speedy, hassle-free experience for travellers with convenient car-parking located less than 100 metres from the check-in desk and modern passenger facilities including shops and restaurants.

Today’s announcement adds to the charter services provided by Newmarket Holidays, who will operate from Kent International Airport in summer 2006 to various Italian destinations including Lake Garda and Lido Di Jesolo.

Seguro have an excellent track record at PIK. They are Manchester based company who have built up a strong local following for quality hoildays at good prices. They may not generate dozens of weekly flights but they are more likely to be there in 5 years than some other companies.

As far as the Manston website is concerned I suspect they have employed the same company who redesigned the PIK one along with the slogan " Pure Dead Brilliant" It caused a lot of chat amongst the traditionalists in Scotland who were shocked. The overall look of their airport makeover was pretty snazzy.

Anyone know which airline they will use ?

LTE using A320s

Steve Fossett is hoping to land at KIA on completion of his record attempt.

Edited for spelling of Steve's surname

intrepid fosset
 

the reason for using manston isnt due to anything other than a long runway, i hope he knows about the reduced length due a flamming great water pipe being laid under the runway. should make the news, but not sure if it will attract other airlines!
as for the "sacking of the old managers, i think the buzz word is re-structure!!!:{

Interesting comment.True, there is a water pipe but its actually going thru the 28 approach and I believe the work starts Monday which is 2 days after his proposed landing.We can accept knocks but get your facts correct if you want to be taken seriously.

Sky News still calling it "RAF Manston". So if this trip is successful, when can we expect MOL to pop down there with a route announcement on the back of all the publicity?

When FR say "last for 2006" or whatever, this isn't always the case, but I'd still expect to see GRO as their first choice.

"When FR say "last for 2006" or whatever, this isn't always the case," - jabird

Indeed, they yesterday announced the new Bournemouth - Pisa route, which starts on 8th June, despite having allegedly previously announced that there would be no more new routes this summer.

With all the new boeings coming, MOLs going to have start searching hard for new + profitable places to fly them. Lets hope Manston is high on his list.

For MOL to appear Infrantil will be making it worth there while for a very long time, and MOL expects service delivery which they can do in PIK, but is MSE ready yet, good luck anyhow.

well that woke you up no slots,
what are the displaced threshold markers doing up at 10 end ?
and dont be so touchy, i wasnt knocking the old firm
:ok: