Manston airport asked to do local survey on possible demand for KLM flights to Amsterdam

Date added: 2 November, 2012

Manston airport struggles on, with very few passengers – below 500 to 1000 per month recently.  It now has hopes that  KLM Royal Dutch Airlines might start a twice daily flight from Manston to Amsterdam.  KLM is to announce a “strategic move in the UK market that will have a significant and positive impact on regional businesses and leisure users” in Canterbury on Tuesday, November 13.  In September, KLM asked Manston to conduct an online survey of local residents to find out what the level of demand is for the service. It would take just 40 minutes to fly to Amsterdam and, from there, passengers would be able to fly to more than 90 direct destinations worldwide. Manston chief executive Charles Buchanan seems to have forgotten that Gatwick airport is not far away. The airport has the capacity to handle some one million passengers a year and its master plan estimates passenger numbers could rise to 5m by 2033. But it is just not in the right place, and nothing can change that. No buyer can be found. 

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Comment from No Night Flights, on the current situation at Manston airport:

The airport sale seems to be in the doldrums. The Olympics were a wash-out, although some planes parked at Manston. Posh people’s planes.

If they happen, KLM flights would be leaving at about 6am, according to Charles. Of course, the problem with that is that they would still count as scheduled night flights, in breach of the S106.

Passenger numbers have fallen to the point where it’s almost a personalised air taxi service. Cargo remains at the same level it’s been for years.  [Manston had 449 passengers in August 2012; and 896 in July 2012; 1511 in June 2012; 331 passengers in May 2012 and so on. Massively down on 2011. CAA airport data].

Nonetheless, through thick and thin, Manston is “very committed to working with our local community”, providing raffle prizes for local charity quiz nights and so on.

at No Night Flights at Manston   http://www.hernebaymatters.com/nonightflights-blog/

The October 2012 report from Manston Airport is at

http://www.scribd.com/doc/112011719/KIACC-Report-Oct-2012

High hopes KLM Amsterdam flights to take off from Manston Airport

KLM could fly from Kent International Airport at Manston

by Pete Barnett

Hope are high that KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is set to announce flights from Thanet’s Manston Airport.

The airline, which is merged with Air France, is to announce a “strategic move in the UK market that will have a significant and positive impact on regional businesses and leisure users” in Canterbury on Tuesday, November 13.

It follows discussions between Manston and KLM, which is considering operating twice-daily flights from the Kent airport to Schiphol in Amsterdam – linking Manston to the rest of the world.

In September, the airline asked Manston to conduct an online survey of local residents to find out what the level of demand is for the service.

It would take just 40 minutes to fly to Amsterdam and, from there, passengers would be able to fly to more than 90 direct destinations worldwide.

Last month, Manston chief executive Charles Buchanan, said: “If KLM decides to operate flights from Manston it would mean Kent residents would have easy access to sunny destinations all year round.”

Manston Airport has the capacity to welcome up to one million passengers a year and its master plan estimates passenger numbers could rise to 5m by 2033.

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2012/october/30/klm_hopes.aspx

2 of the many comments say:

“Last month, Manston chief executive Charles Buchanan, pictured left, said: “If KLM decides to operate flights from Manston it would mean Kent residents would have easy access to sunny destinations all year round.””

Somebody should tell Mr Buchanan that at least 80% of Kent’s population already have multi destination airports a lot closer to home than Manston. 

Manston will have to offer cheaper fares and parking to entice them to travel to this neck of Kent.

and

Imagine a situation in which there were no restrictions whatsoever on flights to and from Manston. Being realistic, how many airlines do you think will come rushing to start services from Manston? How many extra jobs will they provide? 

Also, how many of the previous services which failed did so because of the ban on night flights? Is it not likely that future services may fail for the same reasons they failed? Read Dave’s comment for a clue. 

I’m sorry to be blunt but Manston was probably well placed to receive damaged bombers during WWII but it is hardly the best place for a civilian airfield.

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21.10.2012

PROPOSALS to turn Manston airport into a “gateway to the world” have been given an overwhelmingly positive response after thousands of people responded to a survey.

Last month it was revealed KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was in talks with Manston owner Infratril about the possibility of daily passenger flights to Schiphol in Amsterdam, one of Europe’s busiest airports.

If the deal gets the green light, passengers will be able to fly onwards from Amsterdam to 90 destinations across the world, including Asia, America and Africa.

To get an idea of the level of demand for the flights, KLM asked Manston to carry out an online survey of local people, which came to an end last week.

It was a key stage in the process, as several commercial airlines have pulled out of Manston following poor sales.

But, this week the early findings revealed a massive 9,066 people responded and it was found 96 per cent of them would rather fly from the Thanet airport than London.

The full results will be analysed by KLM and are not yet available to the public.

Manston chief executive Charles Buchanan, said: “We have been staggered by the level of response to our survey to determine the level and nature of demand for twice daily flights from Manston to Schiphol in Amsterdam.”

He said the results will help KLM as it assess whether it wants to start the service of two outbound and two inbound journeys a day.

The plans could see Kent residents no longer having to travel to London for long-haul flights. Flying from Manston to Amsterdam takes just 40 minutes.

Regular passenger flights in Thanet, which could start from summer 2013, could also create much-needed jobs as well as a tourism boost bringing thousands of visitors to the area.

KLM’s plans also raised the issue of using regional airports, like Manston, to ease the UK’s capacity problems.

Thanet District Council’s director of community services, Madeline Homer, said: “The council has always recognised that Manston represents an integral part of Thanet’s ongoing regeneration, and we welcome the ongoing support the airport receives from the public.”

Ms Homer said the council was glad the flights weren’t planned to run at night when they could have a “detrimental effect on the local environment”.

Posted: Friday, November 2nd, 2012. Filed in News about Airports, Recent News.