Plans to revive the abandoned Manston Airport in Kent have taken a significant step forward, with the public consultation phase of the airspace change proposal process set to begin. The airport, also known as Kent International Airport, has been dormant for over a decade, with its last scheduled flight departing for Amsterdam on April 9, 2014.
Currently used as a lorry park, Manston has been the focus of an investment firm, RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP), which purchased the site in 2019 for £16.5 million. RSP initially aimed to reopen the airport by 2025, but due to mounting construction costs and turbulent financial markets, the projected timeline has been pushed back to 2029.
What Is the Latest Update on Manston Airport?
The planning process has officially entered stage three, which involves a public consultation from Monday, March 16 to Monday, June 22. During this period, proposed changes to flight paths and airspace structure will be presented to residents, communities, and wider stakeholders through a series of in-person and online events over three months.
Tony Freudmann, Director at RiverOak Strategic Partners, stated: 'This consultation is an important step in our ambitions to reopen Manston Airport, representing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver new runway capacity to support the UK air cargo market and to transform the economic landscape in East Kent. We know Manston holds a special place in the area’s history, we would encourage people to find out more about our proposal and provide any feedback they might have to help shape our plans.'
The areas most likely affected by the flightpath are Ramsgate and Herne Bay. Originally estimated at £400 million, the project cost has now risen to a projected £750 million.
Will Manston Airport Reopen with Passenger Terminals?
While RSP has previously mentioned discussions with budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet about basing passenger planes at Manston, current plans focus strictly on reopening as an air freight hub. According to RSP’s website, the reopened airport will help the UK trade globally by importing vital and time-sensitive goods, including fresh fruit and medical supplies. It aims to provide air freight operators with a realistic alternative to overcrowded London airports, easing road congestion from lorries carrying freight through the Channel Tunnel to European airports. RSP also highlights improved resilience and economic growth in Kent.
When fully built, Manston will be able to handle over a million tonnes of freight annually. The developer predicts creating 2,150 jobs on site and 13,100 indirect and catalytic jobs by year five of operation.
Manston has a rich history, having served as a Royal Air Force base during the World Wars after opening in 1918. It was frequently attacked and bombed during the Battle of Britain in World War Two. Its revival represents a major infrastructure project for the region.
