Hmm... don't know why but can't help feeling there are some who much prefer an airport, even if it doesn't do much work to having lots of new houses and the nasty chavs it might bring in..

Manston isn't an airport the same as Portsmouth, Lymphe, Plymouth, Weston-Super-Mare, Ipswich, Woodley to name but a few aren't airports either, they are real estate.

The Doc is desperately trying to keep the dream of a profit making airport alive by posting as much spin as possible all over the net.

The A380 damaged the 10 end of the runway making a 180 back to the exit.

The 9000ft is not enough to take a fully laden Boeing 747 of any type without hitting the dirt at the ends.

No freight forwarder or importer is ever going to make the jump away from London to the dead end part of Kent.

Someone has thought it a good idea to start an airline called Atmosphere and promise to operate into and out of Manston with pax, what's that about ? Seems like its a made up airline to backup the Manston supporters theory of a viable airport.

KLM loved the place as they were getting nearly everything for free, no wonder they were upset to leave, and no the load figures were not that great, maybe at weekends and during holidays but that's it, not enough to make a profit from or add extra movements.

Riveroak or what ever they call themselves these days seem to think they can magic up 12,000+ cargo flights a year. Realistically they want to grab that prime development land called Stone Hill Park, fail it as an airport then do exactly what the current owners are doing. Also whilst trying to make themselves credible as airport operators they want to sue the Thanet council leader for slanderous remarks about their business being hidden in Belize.

Its a comedy act and the people at SMAa are a big part of it. At least the other SMA can smell a rat and are now starting to talk a little sense.

Riveroak with the Doc as their spokesperson cannot be taken seriously.

I guess he's referring to the 300ft previously declared width of Manston's runway which has since been reduced, unless they plan to land A380's across the runway I don't see how it makes it more correct and such a runway width is so unprecedented they didn't think of it at Heathrow, Newquay/St. Mawgan and Bedford/Thurleigh to name but three!

If Riveroak wanted to invest in a UK airport there are surely a few out there for sale, currently operating thus can start taking revenue from day one other than this closed and derelict former military base that has no staff, no equipment and certainly no customers.

And the Doc just embarrasses the situation each time he posts, whether it be that someone's had a meeting to decide when the next meeting may be, whether someone's been granted access to the Manston site or indeed that the rest of us are talking from our butts when we repeatedly try in vain to explain to him that the runway isn't long enough for the proposed operations for him to respond with spotter pics of empty heavies at Manston.

And yes Doc, Manston can take the world's largest aircraft but it isn't the A380!

I think DrBW feels he is doing something of practical value in support of something useful.

Part of me wishes he'd devote some of his undoubted energy to something that could make a difference, and I'm sure there's plenty in Thanet that could.

But until then we'll get lots of updates. I wonder if there'll ever be one where RiverOak give proof of funds...

It's particularly remarkable to watch, because of course all DrBW's local activist kindred spirits in other areas are keeping themselves occupied posting comments on local newspaper sites every time anything larger than a wasp lands at their local airport.

And don't tell him that the the An124 scenes of 'Die Another Day' were filmed at Manston else he'll be posting a bl00dy link to the movie :)

I wonder if this is the company which starts with a large capital A There was rumours they where looking to lease 20 aircraft ? And a uk base good luck if they open manston should not have closed in the first place

And who did you expect to underwrite the losses made by the airport?

Not even the RAF could find an ex WWII viable purpose for Manston, I applied to be posted there during 1976 and besides being a Master Diversion Airfield with a foam carpet facility all it had, even then, were two yellow helicopters.

.......and that is where you are wrong.

It is still the Defence Fire Training and Development Centre.

I was there only last week.

Some of you spouting about Manston need to put up and shut up.

Wow ... Let's hold the front page for that one, that UK needs a 9,000ft runway'd airfield to play silly friggers with extinguishers, a fire truck or whatever!

So how pray, are you in a position to comment from your little island near Manila?

Perhaps it is you embarasing yourself with your posts. Unless you are another of the minority who has a personal axe to grind with those trying to get the airfield reopened.

maybe being outside Thanet gives him a sense of reality?

This thread has been running for 9++ years and there is still no sign that anyone will make a go of Manston. It is a very dead parrot TBH

It's in the wrong place full stop

the people interested in it are only waiting to be able to turn it into a housing estate and a business park - and maybe a freight storage site close to the cross-channel links. If we have a hard BREXIT we'll need a lot more space for customs clearances - and Manston is pretty well positioned. Or maybe the internment camp when the French close the Jungle in Calais and export the problem to the UK side of the Channel

Just for a laugh, can we court some opinions on what people think it actually costs to run an airport like Manston per year, say with all anticipated infrastructure maintenance costs amortized over a five year term? Bare in mind full-blown ATC, high category Fire and Rescue services etc. etc.

Then add the capital and certification costs to actually reopen, buy back all the kit, repair everything.

Start the Bidding at say £5m+ just to reopen and then say £8-10m per annum, excluding any nasty repair, replacement, refurbishment, maintenance costs?

All the tarmac/concrete in good order? All the AGL in tiptop condition? All coms and nav systems all ready to go? Radar? Anyone recall the shopping list before they closed?

Never, ever going to happen.

1. I guess geography isn't your strong suit because my little island is nowhere near to Manila.

2. I worked in the aviation industry 1976 until 2011 ... And your dates working in the aviation industry are?

From one Harry to another ... "Cheers Mate" :)

Perhaps I should have said you are in the Philippines and yes, you are 500 miles from Manila, but I am in the right area of the world.

You are some 7,000 miles from Manston.

Try 1978 to 2000 for my years.

There's little point arguing, if someone wants(and is able) to invest to see it as a working airport only then will it be seen. I'm not in Thanet, I used to be, the takeover and closure has happened since I left.
I did previously work at Manston and saw the potential and was disappointed by the lack of investment, since I have seen many airports with and lot more investment in them doing a lot less well, but still supposedly thriving. One of the things that made the place run was the family spirit amongst the staff, but sadly every day that passes this pool becomes weaker. I really hope that it becomes a thriving working airport again as it was and still is a big part of my life. But people with more intelligence and finance than me will be the decider.

IB4138- Your profile describes you as a retired radio presenter. Why does it not refer to your career in aviation?

I am guessing IB4138 ex radio is the same radio that I my self presently work at ATC!!??
We all are radio presenters!!