Plans for Manston Airport's Reopening as Freight Hub by 2029
Abandoned UK airport set to reopen despite being left to rot 12 years ago
Image: Dailystar Co Uk
Manston Airport in Kent, closed since 2014, may reopen as a freight hub by 2029, pending approval of new plans. RiverOak Strategic Partners aims to invest £750 million to facilitate the airport's redevelopment, which could process over a million tonnes of freight annually.
- 01Manston Airport has been closed since 2014 and was briefly used as a lorry park during the COVID-19 lockdown.
- 02RiverOak Strategic Partners purchased the airport for £16.5 million in 2019 and plans to reopen it by 2029.
- 03The initial redevelopment cost estimate of £400 million has increased to £750 million.
- 04Public consultations regarding airspace alterations are ongoing until June 22, 2023.
- 05Once operational, the airport is expected to handle over a million tonnes of freight annually.
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Manston Airport, located in Kent, England, is set to potentially reopen by 2029 as a freight hub after being closed for nearly 12 years. The airport, which was briefly utilized as a lorry park during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been the focus of efforts by RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP), which acquired the site for £16.5 million in 2019. Initially, RSP aimed for a 2025 reopening, but escalating costs have pushed the timeline back. The redevelopment project is now estimated to cost £750 million, significantly higher than the original estimate of £400 million. RSP is currently engaging with airlines and cargo operators while seeking public feedback on proposed airspace changes until June 22, 2023. Tony Freudmann, Director at RSP, emphasized the importance of community input, describing the project as a
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The reopening of Manston Airport is expected to create jobs and boost the local economy in east Kent.
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