US rescue bid for Manston Airport rejected
Campaigners are vowing to keep Manston Airport open despite the owners telling staff yesterday that it will shut next week, with the loss of up to 150 jobs.
A US firm whose offer to buy the loss-making Kent airport was rejected last week said it was still willing to discuss its acquisition.
In a statement seen by the BBC it said: "RiverOak is distressed to learn of the announced closure of Manston today and remains willing to engage with all parties to achieve a solution which allows the airport to continue operating and preserves the jobs of its staff."
RiverOak Investment, which is based in Stamford, Connecticut, said it had $350m (£206m) in assets and a successful track record of turning around "troubled operating and real estate assets".
The company said it had developed a long-term plan to own and manage Manston as an airport.
However, a spokesman for Manston Airport said management had decided to shut it down from May 15 as there was no "viable alternative".
He said the owners had considered business proposals put forward by staff but those would have required losses to be subsidised. The airport, bought by Ann Gloag, the founder of the Stagecoach Group last year for £1, was believed to be losing £10,000 a day.
Wendy Fraser, group secretary of Save Manston Airport, told the BBC campaigners would be stepping up their campaign to keep the airport open
"We’ll fight to reopen it if it does close, and we will not let and we will not let this be made into anything but an airport," she said.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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