Operators pull out of Manston as unions fight to save airport

The consultation period over the future of Manston Airport, which the owners are planning to close due to mounting losses, has been extended indefinitely to allow for talks between the union and management.

However, the uncertainty over the airline’s future has already led to the loss of its only scheduled service and this summer’s planned charter flights.

KLM, which was the only airline to operate scheduled services from the Kent airport, operated its last flight from the airport on Wednesday. Also, Newmarket Holidays, which operated a series of summer charters from Manston, today announced it has switched this summer’s flights to nearby Lydd.

The union Unite, which has 40 members at the Manston, said that after talks with management on Thursday morning, the consultation period has been extended beyond the original deadline of May 11.

Unite regional officer Ian McCoulough said: "We had talks with the management today and it said that the consultation period was now extended until a final decision is made. This is to be welcomed.

"Unite would like Manston to continue as a viable airport, as we believe it is vital to the local economy in terms of employment and economic growth in Kent. We will do our utmost to achieve that goal."

McCoulough said that the company was considering two business plans drawn up by the workforce that he said could secure the airport’s future.

Unite is due to meet the management again next Wednesday (16 April) and on Thursday April 24.

The airport, which employs 140 people, was bought by Ann Gloag – who co-founded the Stagecoach Group – for £1 in October last year.

It is understood the airport has been losing £10,000 a day under its new owner. KLM was the only airline to operate scheduled flights from Manston, which has also offered a handful of seasonal charters to Mediterranean destinations for the past few years.

The last KLM flight left the airport on Wednesday and the Dutch airline said it would not resume flights to Manston, even if it remains open.

Newmarket Holidays, which operates the majority of charters from Manston, said this afternoon that it was also pulling out of the East Kent airport for this summer due to the uncertainty over its future.

In a statement, it said passengers booked on flights to Verona and Naples in June had been told of the swtich to Lydd. It added that this was "likely to herald a shift in the operator’s remaining 2014 and all  future Kent-based operations to Lydd."

Lydd recently received the go-ahead for a multi-million upgrade to its facilities.

Newmarket regional charter manager Amanda George said: "We have enjoyed a very happy and successful relationship with Manston International over many years, and will be sad to see the airfield close.

"However, we are excited to be beginning a new chapter at Lydd, which will mean Kent passengers can still begin and end their holidays at a local airport, which is what they enjoy doing".

Lydd Airport’s management team added:  "Whilst we are shocked and saddened by the situation at Manston, we look forward to working with Newmarket Holidays to enable the people of Kent and East Sussex to continue to fly from their local airport with the minimum of hassle".