Dear Sammy, I thank you for such a
coherent and well discussed summary of the plight of Manston Airport,
Kent.
OK you asked for it. I have lots to say on why I and my micro-SME scientific research company and the "Save Manston Airport" group believe that Manston Airport could be a successful and important airport for the South East of England, if just, as you say, it were just managed and advertised as it should be.
First :
OK you asked for it. I have lots to say on why I and my micro-SME scientific research company and the "Save Manston Airport" group believe that Manston Airport could be a successful and important airport for the South East of England, if just, as you say, it were just managed and advertised as it should be.
 |
| Excellent uncongested road links at Manston |
First :
There is now an official Thanet District Council petition to help keep Manston
Airport as an operating airport - please sign it for a chance to reduce Heathrow and Gatwick flights and the need for new runways :
http://democracy.thanet.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=67
Where shall I start? Loss of jobs and additional costs on local businesses:
It is not just the 140 direct job losses by Ann Gloag's employees, but the ancillary knock-on effect in local businesses total about 700, including a small aviation firm that has been booted out of its 50 year leased premises.
Take my micro-SME firm, as small as it comes - the additional £100 to £200 additional cost of each journey across the South of England to Gatwick or Heathrow becomes significant over the year, not to mention the effectively day lost from the coal-face of the business by the travel time. It was 10 minutes from my research laboratory to Manston Airport, plus 30 minutes check-in time (mostly spent with a hot drink) - including published check-in times, via the M25 from Canterbury to Gatwick and onto the plane is about 4 hours, and to be prudent, to Heathrow is about 6 hours. And of course nearly as much for the return journey. Often requiring an over-night stay in a hotel to ensure catching an early flight.
 |
| The sixth longest civilian runway in the UK at Manston Airport |
Manston History:
Manston was started for the first-world war.
In the second world-war, Prime Minister Winston Churchill was honorary air commodore for 615 Fighter Squadron, and paid them a visit at RAF Manston, Kent, UK, on 25 September 1941.
But on Thursday 15th May 2014 it was shut by the current owner. Airport operations ceased at 5pm. We hear that airport operating equipment is already being sold off, and there will be a further auction in days. Offers of the full asking price have, it is reported, been rejected by the current owner. We believe the intention is to dig up the runway, demolish the airport buildings, and build houses. A "Garden City" is being touted - where are the jobs for these people ? Thanet is already an area of "significant socio-economic deprivation".
 |
| Manston from the air a few years ago |
OK, next, why should people fly from Manston - surely it has been shown to not be a popular airport?
My next thesis is high-lighted by a visit to the nearly city of Maidstone, by the leader of the "Save Manston Airport" group - the commonest response by the good people of Maidstone : "What Manston Airport ?".
This is no surprise to me - the only reason I knew that KLM had started flights to Schiphol Hub in Amsterdam, was I was driving past the airport perimeter daily, and there was a banner on the fence !
Well we have in a short space of time flown to the USA and elsewhere a number of times via Manston and Schiphol. When Ann Gloag announced her "closure consultation", visitors and directors of my company had 8 European and long-haul flights booked via Manston, not all of which were able to take place. And I have already had to do an additional European journey via Gatwick. The KLM passenger use of Manston was successful and growing - we suspect that this is why Ann Gloag asked KLM to leave as soon as she did.
So for whom does it make sense to
use Manston Airport ?
Well surprisingly my web data mining
has given us extensive evidence that the highly efficient nature of
Manston Airport means that you can be as far away from Manston as any
of the 13 Category-A mainline stations in London, or on the junction
9 roundabout on the M23, at the Gatwick Airport boundary, and you
will still be quicker to fly from Manston Airport than either
Heathrow or Gatwick Airports.
 |
| Kent Travel Times, Manston vs Heathrow by car |
See this pdf document on the "Save Manston Airport" group's Facebook site :
Manston Airport Kent has major travel advantages – v2b.pdf
https://www.facebook.com/groups/616428761764523/645012062239526/
We have even conducted an on-road and "virtual flight" validation of these timings :
www.facebook.com/events/580892218698984/
Manston Airport has excellent HS1 high-speed rail links 8 minutes away by taxi from Ramsgate station to Ashford International and Central London (to be further upgraded this Autumn), and dual-carriageway roads from Manston Airport boundary fence across Kent and into Central London.
 |
| The fastest trains in the UK can help you get to Manston |
So why is this not more generally appreciated?
No one has been told! Where is the
advertising on the tube and train-lines to the other London Airports
? How many travel agencies in the South East even know of Manston
Airport ? - Again and again people have to tell their travel agencies
about Manston.
But also, the Davies Commission refused to consider Manston Airport in its report on future air traffic for London airports :
The Airports Commission have stated, when I sent them these population/travel time figures :
"The Commission noted that some people living in North Kent valued the role that the Airport played in supporting regional connectivity, but noted a number of significant challenges, such as relatively poor surface transport links and a large distance from significant population, which rendered any significantly expanded role for the airport implausible."
And later :
"… has identified three options it will take forward for further development, as well as more work to allow it to understand the viability of a Thames Estuary option. The Commission is focussed on analysing these three short-listed options and the feasibility of a Thames Estuary option and does not intend to revisit previous decisions."
airports.enquiries@airports.gsi.gov.uk
Why is Manston Airport not included in this discussion of London Airports ?
More urgently :
Why close Manston Airport at a time of expansion plans for Heathrow and Gatwick ?
Kent County Council recommends that there should be better utilisation of regional airport capacity in the South East; Manston has the potential to accommodate up to 5 to 6 million passengers per annum.
Manston Airport also has an enviable record for cargo handling, with no stacking on airport approach, and full loads of perishable cargo unloaded and on the road, and the aircraft back in the air, within 80 minutes of landing. Establishing small package freight to adjacent airport hubs for global express packages is an important goal of the air-operations company that has offered the full asking price of £7million, for Manston.
Over 15,000 people have signed a petition in support of Manston Airport which has been a remarkably fast, efficient, friendly and convenient airport to use, and to work at.
But also, the Davies Commission refused to consider Manston Airport in its report on future air traffic for London airports :
The Airports Commission have stated, when I sent them these population/travel time figures :
"The Commission noted that some people living in North Kent valued the role that the Airport played in supporting regional connectivity, but noted a number of significant challenges, such as relatively poor surface transport links and a large distance from significant population, which rendered any significantly expanded role for the airport implausible."
And later :
"… has identified three options it will take forward for further development, as well as more work to allow it to understand the viability of a Thames Estuary option. The Commission is focussed on analysing these three short-listed options and the feasibility of a Thames Estuary option and does not intend to revisit previous decisions."
airports.enquiries@airports.gsi.gov.uk
Why is Manston Airport not included in this discussion of London Airports ?
More urgently :
Why close Manston Airport at a time of expansion plans for Heathrow and Gatwick ?
Kent County Council recommends that there should be better utilisation of regional airport capacity in the South East; Manston has the potential to accommodate up to 5 to 6 million passengers per annum.
Manston Airport also has an enviable record for cargo handling, with no stacking on airport approach, and full loads of perishable cargo unloaded and on the road, and the aircraft back in the air, within 80 minutes of landing. Establishing small package freight to adjacent airport hubs for global express packages is an important goal of the air-operations company that has offered the full asking price of £7million, for Manston.
Over 15,000 people have signed a petition in support of Manston Airport which has been a remarkably fast, efficient, friendly and convenient airport to use, and to work at.
OK, that is was the appeal to logic,
now for something different :
To Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted Airports :
“Give us your tired (who have walked too far from check-in to gate to plane to baggage pickup) ,
your poor (who have paid as much to park - or to catch the train across England - as for their flight),
Your huddled masses of stacked planes yearning for a free slot in which to land,
The wretched refuse of your teeming sky and overloaded runways.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed and diverted planes, to us at Manston Airport:
We lift our lamp beside the White Cliffs of the Dover Straights.”
Dr. Beau Webber - May, 2014, with apologies to Emma Lazarus.
Manston Dreaming
The people were sent home
The planes flew away
All fell silent
In an office far away, predators scheme and plot
Shiver and drool in anticipation of the kill
And at midnight, an unfamiliar sound drifts across the airfield on the cool night air.....
A spirit sleeping
and dreaming of our return
by Jennifer Maidman
http://youtu.be/OImU9GJLXd8
Annie Whitehead of Penguin Cafe Orchestra on Trombone.
And again, please sign the official Thanet District Council petition to help keep Manston Airport as an operating airport :
http://democracy.thanet.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=67
Article by Dr. Beau Webber
Lab-Tools Ltd., Canterbury & Ramsgate
www.Lab-Tools.com
To Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted Airports :
“Give us your tired (who have walked too far from check-in to gate to plane to baggage pickup) ,
your poor (who have paid as much to park - or to catch the train across England - as for their flight),
Your huddled masses of stacked planes yearning for a free slot in which to land,
The wretched refuse of your teeming sky and overloaded runways.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed and diverted planes, to us at Manston Airport:
We lift our lamp beside the White Cliffs of the Dover Straights.”
Dr. Beau Webber - May, 2014, with apologies to Emma Lazarus.
Manston Dreaming
The people were sent home
The planes flew away
All fell silent
In an office far away, predators scheme and plot
Shiver and drool in anticipation of the kill
And at midnight, an unfamiliar sound drifts across the airfield on the cool night air.....
A spirit sleeping
and dreaming of our return
by Jennifer Maidman
http://youtu.be/OImU9GJLXd8
Annie Whitehead of Penguin Cafe Orchestra on Trombone.
And again, please sign the official Thanet District Council petition to help keep Manston Airport as an operating airport :
http://democracy.thanet.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=67
Article by Dr. Beau Webber
Lab-Tools Ltd., Canterbury & Ramsgate
www.Lab-Tools.com
Dear Sammy, I thank you for such a coherent and well discussed summary of the plight of Manston Airport, Kent.
OK you asked for it. I have lots to say on why I and my micro-SME scientific research company and the "Save Manston Airport" group believe that Manston Airport could be a successful and important airport for the South East of England, if just, as you say, it were just managed and advertised as it should be.
First :
There is now an official Thanet District Council petition to help keep Manston
Airport as an operating airport - please sign it for a chance to reduce Heathrow and Gatwick flights and the need for new runways :
http://democracy.thanet.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=67
Where shall I start ? Loss of jobs and additional costs on local businesses:
It is not just the 140 direct job losses by Ann Gloag's employees, but the ancillary knock-on effect in local businesses total about 700, including a small aviation firm that has been booted out of its 50 year leased premises.
Take my micro-SME firm, as small as it comes - the additional £100 to £200 additional cost of each journey across the South of England to Gatwick or Heathrow becomes significant over the year, not to mention the effectively day lost from the coal-face of the business by the travel time. It was 10 minutes from my research laboratory to Manston Airport, plus 30 minutes check-in time (mostly spent with a hot drink) - including published check-in times, via the M25 from Canterbury to Gatwick and onto the plane is about 4 hours, and to be prudent, to Heathrow is about 6 hours. And of course nearly as much for the return journey. Often requiring an over-night stay in a hotel to ensure catching an early flight.
Manston History :
Manston was started for the first-world war.
In the second world-war, Prime Minister Winston Churchill was honorary air commodore for 615 Fighter Squadron, and paid them a visit at RAF Manston, Kent, UK, on 25 September 1941.
But on Thursday 15th May 2014 it was shut by the current owner. Airport operations ceased at 5pm. We hear that airport operating equipment is already being sold off, and there will be a further auction in days. Offers of the full asking price have, it is reported, been rejected by the current owner. We believe the intention is to dig up the runway, demolish the airport buildings, and build houses. A "Garden City" is being touted - where are the jobs for these people ? Thanet is already an area of "significant socio-economic deprivation".
OK, next, why should people fly from Manston - surely it has been shewn to not be a popular airport ?
My next thesis is high-lighted by a visit to the nearly city of Maidtone, by the leader of the "Save Manston Airport" group - the commonest response by the good people of Maidstone : "What Manston Airport ?".
This is no surprise to me - the only reason I knew that KLM had started flights to Schiphol Hub in Amsterdam, was I was driving past the airport perimeter daily, and there was a banner on the fence !
Well we have in a short space of time flown to the USA and elsewhere a number of times via Manston and Schiphol. When Ann Gloag announced her "closure consultation", visitors and directors of my company had 8 European and long-haul flights booked via Manston, not all of which were able to take place. And I have already had to do an additional European journey via Gatwick. The KLM passenger use of Manston was successful and growing - we suspect that this is why Ann Gloag asked KLM to leave as soon as she did. - See more at: http://sammysgenericblog.blogspot.jp/2014/05/manston-death-of-airport.html#sthash.P2TKJEpb.dpuf
OK you asked for it. I have lots to say on why I and my micro-SME scientific research company and the "Save Manston Airport" group believe that Manston Airport could be a successful and important airport for the South East of England, if just, as you say, it were just managed and advertised as it should be.
First :
There is now an official Thanet District Council petition to help keep Manston
Airport as an operating airport - please sign it for a chance to reduce Heathrow and Gatwick flights and the need for new runways :
http://democracy.thanet.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=67
Where shall I start ? Loss of jobs and additional costs on local businesses:
It is not just the 140 direct job losses by Ann Gloag's employees, but the ancillary knock-on effect in local businesses total about 700, including a small aviation firm that has been booted out of its 50 year leased premises.
Take my micro-SME firm, as small as it comes - the additional £100 to £200 additional cost of each journey across the South of England to Gatwick or Heathrow becomes significant over the year, not to mention the effectively day lost from the coal-face of the business by the travel time. It was 10 minutes from my research laboratory to Manston Airport, plus 30 minutes check-in time (mostly spent with a hot drink) - including published check-in times, via the M25 from Canterbury to Gatwick and onto the plane is about 4 hours, and to be prudent, to Heathrow is about 6 hours. And of course nearly as much for the return journey. Often requiring an over-night stay in a hotel to ensure catching an early flight.
Manston History :
Manston was started for the first-world war.
In the second world-war, Prime Minister Winston Churchill was honorary air commodore for 615 Fighter Squadron, and paid them a visit at RAF Manston, Kent, UK, on 25 September 1941.
But on Thursday 15th May 2014 it was shut by the current owner. Airport operations ceased at 5pm. We hear that airport operating equipment is already being sold off, and there will be a further auction in days. Offers of the full asking price have, it is reported, been rejected by the current owner. We believe the intention is to dig up the runway, demolish the airport buildings, and build houses. A "Garden City" is being touted - where are the jobs for these people ? Thanet is already an area of "significant socio-economic deprivation".
OK, next, why should people fly from Manston - surely it has been shewn to not be a popular airport ?
My next thesis is high-lighted by a visit to the nearly city of Maidtone, by the leader of the "Save Manston Airport" group - the commonest response by the good people of Maidstone : "What Manston Airport ?".
This is no surprise to me - the only reason I knew that KLM had started flights to Schiphol Hub in Amsterdam, was I was driving past the airport perimeter daily, and there was a banner on the fence !
Well we have in a short space of time flown to the USA and elsewhere a number of times via Manston and Schiphol. When Ann Gloag announced her "closure consultation", visitors and directors of my company had 8 European and long-haul flights booked via Manston, not all of which were able to take place. And I have already had to do an additional European journey via Gatwick. The KLM passenger use of Manston was successful and growing - we suspect that this is why Ann Gloag asked KLM to leave as soon as she did. - See more at: http://sammysgenericblog.blogspot.jp/2014/05/manston-death-of-airport.html#sthash.P2TKJEpb.dpuf
Dear Sammy, I thank you for such a coherent and well discussed summary of the plight of Manston Airport, Kent.
OK you asked for it. I have lots to say on why I and my micro-SME scientific research company and the "Save Manston Airport" group believe that Manston Airport could be a successful and important airport for the South East of England, if just, as you say, it were just managed and advertised as it should be.
First :
There is now an official Thanet District Council petition to help keep Manston
Airport as an operating airport - please sign it for a chance to reduce Heathrow and Gatwick flights and the need for new runways :
http://democracy.thanet.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=67
Where shall I start ? Loss of jobs and additional costs on local businesses:
It is not just the 140 direct job losses by Ann Gloag's employees, but the ancillary knock-on effect in local businesses total about 700, including a small aviation firm that has been booted out of its 50 year leased premises.
Take my micro-SME firm, as small as it comes - the additional £100 to £200 additional cost of each journey across the South of England to Gatwick or Heathrow becomes significant over the year, not to mention the effectively day lost from the coal-face of the business by the travel time. It was 10 minutes from my research laboratory to Manston Airport, plus 30 minutes check-in time (mostly spent with a hot drink) - including published check-in times, via the M25 from Canterbury to Gatwick and onto the plane is about 4 hours, and to be prudent, to Heathrow is about 6 hours. And of course nearly as much for the return journey. Often requiring an over-night stay in a hotel to ensure catching an early flight.
Manston History :
Manston was started for the first-world war.
In the second world-war, Prime Minister Winston Churchill was honorary air commodore for 615 Fighter Squadron, and paid them a visit at RAF Manston, Kent, UK, on 25 September 1941.
But on Thursday 15th May 2014 it was shut by the current owner. Airport operations ceased at 5pm. We hear that airport operating equipment is already being sold off, and there will be a further auction in days. Offers of the full asking price have, it is reported, been rejected by the current owner. We believe the intention is to dig up the runway, demolish the airport buildings, and build houses. A "Garden City" is being touted - where are the jobs for these people ? Thanet is already an area of "significant socio-economic deprivation".
OK, next, why should people fly from Manston - surely it has been shewn to not be a popular airport ?
My next thesis is high-lighted by a visit to the nearly city of Maidtone, by the leader of the "Save Manston Airport" group - the commonest response by the good people of Maidstone : "What Manston Airport ?".
This is no surprise to me - the only reason I knew that KLM had started flights to Schiphol Hub in Amsterdam, was I was driving past the airport perimeter daily, and there was a banner on the fence !
Well we have in a short space of time flown to the USA and elsewhere a number of times via Manston and Schiphol. When Ann Gloag announced her "closure consultation", visitors and directors of my company had 8 European and long-haul flights booked via Manston, not all of which were able to take place. And I have already had to do an additional European journey via Gatwick. The KLM passenger use of Manston was successful and growing - we suspect that this is why Ann Gloag asked KLM to leave as soon as she did. - See more at: http://sammysgenericblog.blogspot.jp/2014/05/manston-death-of-airport.html#sthash.P2TKJEpb.dpuf
OK you asked for it. I have lots to say on why I and my micro-SME scientific research company and the "Save Manston Airport" group believe that Manston Airport could be a successful and important airport for the South East of England, if just, as you say, it were just managed and advertised as it should be.
First :
There is now an official Thanet District Council petition to help keep Manston
Airport as an operating airport - please sign it for a chance to reduce Heathrow and Gatwick flights and the need for new runways :
http://democracy.thanet.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=67
Where shall I start ? Loss of jobs and additional costs on local businesses:
It is not just the 140 direct job losses by Ann Gloag's employees, but the ancillary knock-on effect in local businesses total about 700, including a small aviation firm that has been booted out of its 50 year leased premises.
Take my micro-SME firm, as small as it comes - the additional £100 to £200 additional cost of each journey across the South of England to Gatwick or Heathrow becomes significant over the year, not to mention the effectively day lost from the coal-face of the business by the travel time. It was 10 minutes from my research laboratory to Manston Airport, plus 30 minutes check-in time (mostly spent with a hot drink) - including published check-in times, via the M25 from Canterbury to Gatwick and onto the plane is about 4 hours, and to be prudent, to Heathrow is about 6 hours. And of course nearly as much for the return journey. Often requiring an over-night stay in a hotel to ensure catching an early flight.
Manston History :
Manston was started for the first-world war.
In the second world-war, Prime Minister Winston Churchill was honorary air commodore for 615 Fighter Squadron, and paid them a visit at RAF Manston, Kent, UK, on 25 September 1941.
But on Thursday 15th May 2014 it was shut by the current owner. Airport operations ceased at 5pm. We hear that airport operating equipment is already being sold off, and there will be a further auction in days. Offers of the full asking price have, it is reported, been rejected by the current owner. We believe the intention is to dig up the runway, demolish the airport buildings, and build houses. A "Garden City" is being touted - where are the jobs for these people ? Thanet is already an area of "significant socio-economic deprivation".
OK, next, why should people fly from Manston - surely it has been shewn to not be a popular airport ?
My next thesis is high-lighted by a visit to the nearly city of Maidtone, by the leader of the "Save Manston Airport" group - the commonest response by the good people of Maidstone : "What Manston Airport ?".
This is no surprise to me - the only reason I knew that KLM had started flights to Schiphol Hub in Amsterdam, was I was driving past the airport perimeter daily, and there was a banner on the fence !
Well we have in a short space of time flown to the USA and elsewhere a number of times via Manston and Schiphol. When Ann Gloag announced her "closure consultation", visitors and directors of my company had 8 European and long-haul flights booked via Manston, not all of which were able to take place. And I have already had to do an additional European journey via Gatwick. The KLM passenger use of Manston was successful and growing - we suspect that this is why Ann Gloag asked KLM to leave as soon as she did. - See more at: http://sammysgenericblog.blogspot.jp/2014/05/manston-death-of-airport.html#sthash.P2TKJEpb.dpuf
Dear Sammy, I thank you for such a coherent and well discussed summary of the plight of Manston Airport, Kent.
OK you asked for it. I have lots to say on why I and my micro-SME scientific research company and the "Save Manston Airport" group believe that Manston Airport could be a successful and important airport for the South East of England, if just, as you say, it were just managed and advertised as it should be.
First :
There is now an official Thanet District Council petition to help keep Manston
Airport as an operating airport - please sign it for a chance to reduce Heathrow and Gatwick flights and the need for new runways :
http://democracy.thanet.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=67
Where shall I start ? Loss of jobs and additional costs on local businesses:
It is not just the 140 direct job losses by Ann Gloag's employees, but the ancillary knock-on effect in local businesses total about 700, including a small aviation firm that has been booted out of its 50 year leased premises.
Take my micro-SME firm, as small as it comes - the additional £100 to £200 additional cost of each journey across the South of England to Gatwick or Heathrow becomes significant over the year, not to mention the effectively day lost from the coal-face of the business by the travel time. It was 10 minutes from my research laboratory to Manston Airport, plus 30 minutes check-in time (mostly spent with a hot drink) - including published check-in times, via the M25 from Canterbury to Gatwick and onto the plane is about 4 hours, and to be prudent, to Heathrow is about 6 hours. And of course nearly as much for the return journey. Often requiring an over-night stay in a hotel to ensure catching an early flight.
Manston History :
Manston was started for the first-world war.
In the second world-war, Prime Minister Winston Churchill was honorary air commodore for 615 Fighter Squadron, and paid them a visit at RAF Manston, Kent, UK, on 25 September 1941.
But on Thursday 15th May 2014 it was shut by the current owner. Airport operations ceased at 5pm. We hear that airport operating equipment is already being sold off, and there will be a further auction in days. Offers of the full asking price have, it is reported, been rejected by the current owner. We believe the intention is to dig up the runway, demolish the airport buildings, and build houses. A "Garden City" is being touted - where are the jobs for these people ? Thanet is already an area of "significant socio-economic deprivation".
OK, next, why should people fly from Manston - surely it has been shewn to not be a popular airport ?
My next thesis is high-lighted by a visit to the nearly city of Maidtone, by the leader of the "Save Manston Airport" group - the commonest response by the good people of Maidstone : "What Manston Airport ?".
This is no surprise to me - the only reason I knew that KLM had started flights to Schiphol Hub in Amsterdam, was I was driving past the airport perimeter daily, and there was a banner on the fence !
Well we have in a short space of time flown to the USA and elsewhere a number of times via Manston and Schiphol. When Ann Gloag announced her "closure consultation", visitors and directors of my company had 8 European and long-haul flights booked via Manston, not all of which were able to take place. And I have already had to do an additional European journey via Gatwick. The KLM passenger use of Manston was successful and growing - we suspect that this is why Ann Gloag asked KLM to leave as soon as she did. - See more at: http://sammysgenericblog.blogspot.jp/2014/05/manston-death-of-airport.html#sthash.P2TKJEpb.dpuf
OK you asked for it. I have lots to say on why I and my micro-SME scientific research company and the "Save Manston Airport" group believe that Manston Airport could be a successful and important airport for the South East of England, if just, as you say, it were just managed and advertised as it should be.
First :
There is now an official Thanet District Council petition to help keep Manston
Airport as an operating airport - please sign it for a chance to reduce Heathrow and Gatwick flights and the need for new runways :
http://democracy.thanet.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=67
Where shall I start ? Loss of jobs and additional costs on local businesses:
It is not just the 140 direct job losses by Ann Gloag's employees, but the ancillary knock-on effect in local businesses total about 700, including a small aviation firm that has been booted out of its 50 year leased premises.
Take my micro-SME firm, as small as it comes - the additional £100 to £200 additional cost of each journey across the South of England to Gatwick or Heathrow becomes significant over the year, not to mention the effectively day lost from the coal-face of the business by the travel time. It was 10 minutes from my research laboratory to Manston Airport, plus 30 minutes check-in time (mostly spent with a hot drink) - including published check-in times, via the M25 from Canterbury to Gatwick and onto the plane is about 4 hours, and to be prudent, to Heathrow is about 6 hours. And of course nearly as much for the return journey. Often requiring an over-night stay in a hotel to ensure catching an early flight.
Manston History :
Manston was started for the first-world war.
In the second world-war, Prime Minister Winston Churchill was honorary air commodore for 615 Fighter Squadron, and paid them a visit at RAF Manston, Kent, UK, on 25 September 1941.
But on Thursday 15th May 2014 it was shut by the current owner. Airport operations ceased at 5pm. We hear that airport operating equipment is already being sold off, and there will be a further auction in days. Offers of the full asking price have, it is reported, been rejected by the current owner. We believe the intention is to dig up the runway, demolish the airport buildings, and build houses. A "Garden City" is being touted - where are the jobs for these people ? Thanet is already an area of "significant socio-economic deprivation".
OK, next, why should people fly from Manston - surely it has been shewn to not be a popular airport ?
My next thesis is high-lighted by a visit to the nearly city of Maidtone, by the leader of the "Save Manston Airport" group - the commonest response by the good people of Maidstone : "What Manston Airport ?".
This is no surprise to me - the only reason I knew that KLM had started flights to Schiphol Hub in Amsterdam, was I was driving past the airport perimeter daily, and there was a banner on the fence !
Well we have in a short space of time flown to the USA and elsewhere a number of times via Manston and Schiphol. When Ann Gloag announced her "closure consultation", visitors and directors of my company had 8 European and long-haul flights booked via Manston, not all of which were able to take place. And I have already had to do an additional European journey via Gatwick. The KLM passenger use of Manston was successful and growing - we suspect that this is why Ann Gloag asked KLM to leave as soon as she did. - See more at: http://sammysgenericblog.blogspot.jp/2014/05/manston-death-of-airport.html#sthash.P2TKJEpb.dpuf
Posts
6 comments:
Excellent but would like to add whenever a major disaster has taken place in the world, Manston has also been used by the likes of the Red Cross to fly emergency supplies/aid
Good piece but please be careful guys, it is the 6th longest civilian runway in the UK.
If we rely on incorrect info we can be more easily shot down.
Good piece, but also add that many times planes have been diverted from gatwick and Heathrow to Manston, also British airlines use Manston for training!
Great that different angles are looked at, please pass onto the press to see if they can make sense of it all. But then how much advertising does the implicit owner's group put with them to bias the outcome.
Dr Beau Webbers covered just about everythink and I agree with him . the supporters of Manston will fight like hell to stop the Ann Gloags of this world and all who support her pure greed from building houses all over Manston Airport we do not need her kind or anyone elce telling us how wonderfull it will be to tell her grandchildren what shes done for a place which id say nasty as it sounds hates her guts and sees right though her and all she stands for.im sorry if this upsets anyone but im not willing to show respect to a women who shows the people of thanet no respect what so ever, Respect gos to a lone pilot who saw 2 protesters flying the flags of protest and did a victory roll over Manston airport and made sure they saw him Tus10th of June 2014.Hes worth respect
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O4NRZ
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