Manston Airport

The airport was closed for economic reasons. The then-owner, Ann Gloag (co-founder of the Stagecoach Group), who had purchased the airport for £1 in November 2013, announced its closure after a 45-day consultation period. The primary reasons cited were significant and unsustainable financial losses, which were reportedly running at over £10,000 per day. Despite efforts to find a buyer who would continue aviation operations, no viable offer was secured before the closure deadline, leading to the cessation of all flights and the redundancy of over 140 staff.

Since its closure in 2014, the site has been largely dormant but used for several temporary purposes. Most notably, it has been utilized by the UK government as a large-scale temporary lorry park under the names 'Operation Stack' and later 'Operation Brock'. This contingency plan is activated to hold heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) when there is disruption to services at the Port of Dover or the Eurotunnel. The vast expanse of the runway and taxiways has also made it an attractive location for film and television productions, including major feature films. The site is currently owned by RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP), who purchased it in 2019 with the specific intention of reopening it as an airport.

Manston Airport, formerly RAF Manston (ICAO: EGMH, IATA: MSE), has a long and distinguished history.

- **Military Origins (WWI & WWII):** It was established as a Royal Naval Air Service training station during World War I. Its strategic location near the English Channel made it a critical front-line fighter base during World War II, particularly in the Battle of Britain. Its runway was one of the longest and widest in the country, specifically designed to be an emergency landing ground for damaged bombers returning from raids over Europe. It was one of only three UK airfields equipped with the FIDO (Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation) system to enable landings in heavy fog.

- **Cold War Era:** After WWII, it continued as a key military base, hosting both the RAF and units of the United States Air Force (USAF) Strategic Air Command during the Cold War.

- **Civilian Operations:** The airport began handling civilian flights in the 1960s. It was rebranded as Kent International Airport in the 1980s. In its active years, it handled a mix of scheduled passenger flights, charter services, and significant cargo operations. Airlines such as KLM offered daily flights to Amsterdam Schiphol, connecting Kent to a major international hub. Its long runway made it ideal for large cargo aircraft, and it was a key import point for time-sensitive goods like fresh produce. It also served as a base for flight training and general aviation.

There are concrete and advanced plans to reopen Manston Airport. The project is being led by RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP).

- **Development Consent Order (DCO):** After a lengthy and complex planning process, RSP was granted a Development Consent Order by the UK government in July 2022. This DCO gives legal permission to upgrade and reopen the airport as a dedicated air freight hub, with the capability to handle some passenger services as well. The plans include the development of new cargo facilities, passenger terminals, and aircraft stands.

- **Legal Challenges and Current Status:** The DCO decision faced legal challenges, but these were ultimately dismissed, clearing the final planning hurdle for the project.

- **Next Steps:** As of late 2023 and early 2024, RSP is proceeding with the pre-construction and financing phases of the project. The company aims to begin construction with a phased development plan, initially focusing on cargo operations. The stated goal is to have the airport operational again within a few years, aiming to create a significant number of jobs and re-establish Kent as a hub for international air freight.