Hardly surprising, the 'chicken and egg syndrome'!

I heard Manston was shut on 23rd May as it got hit by lightning and grounded all a/c apart from letting a 747 land.

Is this true and does anyone have any further info?

Apologies if it's been posted elsewhere.

I'm not sure if it was temporarily shut but there was damage caused to some systems by the storm.

Passenger flights return
 

The latest attempt by Kent's Battle of Britain airfield, Manston, to become an international passenger airport is set to get off the ground today. And there is also speculation that low-cost airline Ryanair may be offered terms to run services from the airport, its new owner has ambitious plans to get the renamed Kent International Airport to fulfil its potential capacity of more than two million passengers a year.

Passengers services were halted last summer when Planestation, the stock market-listed owner of the airport and its main airline EUJet, went bust. However, from today, a local package holiday company is launching once-a-week charter services to the Costa Brava via Barcelona, and to the Algarve through Faro from the airport.

New owner Infratil, the New Zealand infrastructure group, bought Kent International out of receivership for £17m last year. Infratil, which already owns and operates Glasgow's successful Prestwick airport - the Scottish home of Ryanair - aims to spend £9m upgrading the airstrip and control tower on the way to Kent International rebuilding to 350,000 passengers a year in the short term.

Infratil's business plan says there is 'a strong local market for passengers services' from the 1.9m people who live within an hour of the airport, which is on the Kent coast near Ramsgate. It says it will not repeat the mistake of Planestation - previously known as Wiggins - of investing in an airline whose needs for start-up cash ultimately sank the group.

Please send an email to Infratil about what you think off Manston.Just saw the first flights on the news it asked passagers what they thought off it returning to passager service and they were all happy with flights coming back to MSE,Lets hope more flights return to Manston in the near future :ok:

James

What earthly use would there be in sending an E-mail to Infratil about it?

You omit to mention that the same news bulletin also observed that you would hardly expect passengers who have chosen to use the airport, to be moaning about it. If they didn't like it they had the choice of going to Gatwick, instead.

I have absolutely no doubt that a few people will always choose to use Manston, regardless of how dilapidated it looks. This isn't the issue. The issue is whether there is sufficient market in East Kent to make money from these flights. EUjet's experience would suggest that there is not sufficient demand. I would suggest that the fact that these flights aren't fully booked does not bode well for the future.

Catflaps....
are you a NIMBY or a MAG member. No 'normal' local would be so against the local airport doing its best to succeed.

Rail Link
 

I notice that Thanet Council have a rail link in there area plan for 2016 10 years hence.

They said why go to gatwick and use the busy M25 ,M23 and M20 when Manston is just round the corner and is hassle free.And there are loads off things in East kent ,Dover ,Canterbury Broadstairs ramsgate there is lots of things in Kent plus the goverment want to build more house in the SE like I say Manston Airport is just like Bournemouth Airport.
DAS Engineering have moved some equipment into the old MSJC Hanger with a Tug that has the words DAS on.

Looks like DAS are moving into Manston has there Hanger at LGW are going to be turned into a car park.

PS the flights where fully booked

James

Just to complete the current picture:
http://www.kentinternationalairport-...eUpRunning.asp
Regs
BobD

Good to see the airport in use again passenger wise, very interested to see where they got the check in and gate staff from seeing the massive layoffs last year, and the process for security ID, is slightly restrictive in a short period. I will refrain from alleging my thoughts.

Any how good luck now see how they handle World if they still coming.

The airport has taken on staff through an employment agency. The staff are hourly paid for a limited amount of hours a week

Statement from Kent International Airport, 1st June 2006
"We carefully consider all the aspects of any new business here at Kent International and take advice and guidance from the relevant authorities.
They have assured us that the export of live cattle is now both a legal and responsible form of trade.
The previous ban related to human health issues, not concern about the method of transport. Moving animals by aircraft is fast, safe and efficient.
Unfortunately, we have been given advice about the potential methods of a very small number of people opposed to the movements that raises safety concerns for our people and our assets.
This has led us to decide that we will not accept bookings for live cattle shipments at Kent International.
As much as we are disappointed that we are potentially turning away legitimate business, the safety of our people is always our number one priority."

A little birdy has told me that the firemen at MSE have been presented a groovy kind of shift roster to cater for days when a higher cat of cover is needed, all in favour of the company ?
From what I can make out, Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays are CAT 2 cover only with the hope they can call in extras ad-hoc when the company feel like it ? Higher cats have been put in place other days for planned movements.
They are also being made to assist with all ramp duties ?
They have all annual leave cancelled this summer to make sure cover is in place for the up and coming flights of MK, World Airways, LTE and military flights ?
Thats not all thats happening so I hear, the ramp, terminal and security staff are all being told there will be no overtime payments and that all hours worked outside rostered hours will be banked and taken as leave when the company say they can take them ?
I have also been told of other stirrings around the camp but will leave with this for the moment.
All of the above cant be true, can it ?
Firemen and pretty much the rest of the staff at MSE are very unhappy ?

Boo Boo
Your report matches what I have heard and seen; why can't it be true?
Good way to run a business and protect jobs. I also know that the fire bods are much happier doing some work than loafing around.

Boo Boo

Jes
OH Yeahhhhhh we are absolutley over the moon - hated all that "LOAFING AROUND" - it was really quite exhausting !!:mad:

Shifts that suit the company not the workers and hardly a day off to be seen - it's a real hoot.:{

How much longer is Manston's radar likely to be u/s following the lightning
strike a couple of weeks ago.?

tilewood

Havent a clue, but i can confirm that it is the oldest radar in the world ever !
The mice on the treadmill keeping it going have recently recieved a long service medal and have now retired to a small wind mill in the country.
:ugh:

blazing_air

Well if the mice have finally retired no wonder it's stopped working!! ;)

tilewood

I think it may have a dozen or so more turns in it and the company are saving them for Seguro and World Airways.

They've cancelled the route to Barcelona - is it true?

Barcelona isn't axed, it is just merged with the flight from Scotland. Flights continue but with a 'diversion'

Had this info sent to me:
I've been told that, whilst loadings to Faro are good, the Barcelona
route is not doing very well, and flights are to be merged with
Prestwick ones.

Today's Isle of Thanet Gazette confirms the rumour; BCN flights will
run via Prestwick. The same report says that, from tomorrow, flights to
Alicante and Palma will be bookable for next year

James

James,
your last two posts have been quotes taken from other Manston related sites.
I think you should quote your source when passing on info or give credit to the original poster who submitted the article.


S.

There's a rumour that Infratil is taking legal action against people who use the airport's name without authority, especially those seeking to give credence to spotters' notes and associated ramblings that have no place in this thread.

Make the most of EC-JIB this year as I think you will find all flights next year will be operated on a "W" pattern using the PIK based Astraeus a/c:ok:

You've also no right to quote other peoples info from other sites.
I see there is a warning loosely based in your direction on the 'main' Manston group.

RIGHT!!

We don't care which of you two pontificators started it.. if we have to pull over the car.. you both in for a smack.:rolleyes:
cheers
AAR Mods

Cool i take it it's 737 aircraft and not there 757's. Manston has had a load off AN12 in this is week any ideas why they where coming in for ? and I see two World airways MD-11 where in aswel have World started there charter flights?


James

Hi Guys,

Anyone know what the loads are like on these flights, have they been selling well, be good to see a nice little charter operation come out of manston.

cheers

TJ747

The faro flight is doing well, Don't think the Barcelona flights is. and next year you can go to Majorca and benidorm hope more flights come soon.

James

Next summers flghts may well be operated by a PIK based B737

airhumberside

Thank you for update. Any ides why there as been a Swedish Saab340 in MSE .

James

Things are moving forward.
World, Newmarket and Kent escapes are being handled competently by the ground staff; this probably has a connection to terms and conditions being honored.
The plans for military are in place and occasional movements are being managed. We await news of radar facilities, and the rewire from the lightning strike.
Manston is now in position to start operating as an airport if the status quo is to continue.
Well done chaps keep it up.

Thanks Billy,

Good to see a report that doesn't have a list of moans. I've been told that £1.75m is being spent on replacement cabling and £4m on a new (or rather upgraded) radar, both by the end of the year. It's clear that Infratil are pushing for new work, the recent show business flights being an example.

Jes

Jes

You seem very well informed Jes?
Whilst it is fairly common knowledge that these items are oustanding, no date as far as i am aware has been given, as the cabling issue is subject to an insurance claim and the radar has been on it's last legs for a long time and waiting for board level approval.
Dont get wrong, if you are right then thats great news, but just wary of these problems going on and on.
:ok:

billygoat

Great news for Manston :D do you know what the military plans are? I know there has been a C130 in a few times UAF1216 C130 to Cairo 10:26 went out yesterday.

James

Hi all,

My mate just told me that Manston is listed by NASA, although never used, as an emergency diversionary landing strip for the space shuttle program is he right?

James

nasa
 

i think i read that stansted was nasa's number 1
diversion airport in the uk

I thought it was Fairford - much more suitable than a busy civilian airfield.

Editted to say I am referring to STN of course, not MSE!