Craig Mackinlay MP has appealed for potential operators to look again at Manston as a regional airport. Pressing the case for Manston Airport in Parliament last Thursday, the South Thanet MP insisted that Manston could offer "some immediate relief from the lack of capacity that we have on our doorstep at both Heathrow and Gatwick."
Ahead of a decision on a third run way at Heathrow Airport, Mr Mackinlay urged the Government to consider the benefits of regional airports. The future of Manston Airport, which served the South Thanet constituency, still hangs in the balance following the decision by the Cabinet of UKIP-led Thanet District Council not to go ahead with the Compulsory Purchase Order.
This decision was criticised by both Mr Mackinlay and the North Thanet MP, Sir Roger Gale. Both MPs stand fully behind their desire to see Manston up and running as an airport again as soon as possible.
Speaking in the debate on the Airport Commission’s Final Report last week, Mr Mackinlay said, “To increase capacity in the south-east, and free up valuable slots and develop and accommodate growth, we have Manston airport, which is just 80 miles away. It is ready to go within months to take freight-only aircraft from both Heathrow and Gatwick, to offer new routes in the low-cost market, and as an immediate solution to opening up additional intercontinental routes, particularly to growing markets”.
Appealing to potential investors, the MP went on to say “To conclude, I am making an appeal from this Chamber for potential operators to come and look again at what Manston has and what it can offer as a regional airport that can provide for the next 10 years some immediate relief from the lack of capacity that we have on our doorstep at both Heathrow and Gatwick”.
Mr Mackinlay’s contribution was welcomed by a number of colleagues, including former Communities and Local Government Minister, Robert Neill, who has seen Manston for himself and understands the huge economic benefit that Manston Airport could bring to Thanet and the South East. Bob Stewart MP also welcomed Mr Mackinlay’s contribution and made the Chamber aware of Manston Airport’s important role as an emergency airstrip in the Second World War.
Craig’s full speech in the debate can be viewed at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151126/debtext/151126-0003.htm#15112644000232