Manston Airport set for flights within four years

Cargo and passenger services could be operating from Manston Airport within the next four years after a judicial review into plans was not upheld.

Airlines have not flown from the site in Thanet since 2014 and owners RiverOak are now eager to begin its redevelopment into an air cargo hub after waiting for a decision from the courts.

Campaigners described the development as a "highly-polluting cargo hub" that went against the government's planning advice in the face of air pollution and climate change.

However Tony Freudmann, main board director at RiverOak, said his firm will be using the latest technology to build "the greenest airport in Europe".

Mr Freudmann said most airports in the UK do not have a runway long enough to take a big freighter and those that do, do not have the capacity.

He said: "If you a freighter operator wanting to export goods to a city in India or Indonesia, you can not get it out of the UK. You have got to go to Charles de Gaul or Frankfurt. It's ridiculous."

He also hopes passenger services will return and said they have plans to attract short haul carriers to popular destinations in Europe.

Concerns were raised about the potential of night flights, however Mr Freudmann said the planning development order granted in 2022 "forbids" them.

He said: "The only exceptions are late arriving flights that have been held up at their point of departure because of weather or other conditions."

RiverOak said the development will last 18 months and employ 650 people, but once up and running there will be around 2,500 direct jobs at Manston.

In recent years the airport has been used as a holding facility for vehicles during disruption at the Channel ports but this will cease when aviation operations return.

The immigration centre will not be affected as this is on a piece of land separate to the airport, RiverOak confirmed.

However current non-aviation based industries will be forced to close as all buildings will be re-built to new environmental standards suitable for a modern airport.

General manager Gary Blake, who has worked at the airport for 32 years, said he was looking forward to the challenges and partnering with design and engineering teams at Canterbury Christ Church University.

He said: "We have got the opportunity to work pretty much a blank canvas and put in all the latest technology of green technologies, such as rain harvesting and wind turbines, solar panels.

"Hydrogen propulsion is a big thing we're pushing and working with various companies in the UK to have all our ground equipment run on hydrogen or battery power from the word go.

"There are no more legal challenges ahead so we can put the pedal to the metal and go full steam ahead."

Campaigners have been approached for comment.