KLM-Manston: reactions

Reactions from Sir Roger Gale MP, Laura Sandys MP, Sandra Matthews-Marsh (chief executive at Visit Kent), David Foley (east Kent Chamber of Commerce chief executive), Cllr Bob Bayford (Thanet Conservative Group), and Cllr Clive Hart (Leader of Thanet District Council).

The news has been welcomed by groups in Kent including Sir Roger Gale MP. He said:

"For more than twenty years a few of us have staked our faith in the belief that Manston has a job-creating future as a successful regional airport. We have, of course, seen some false starts but this is the first time that a major international flag-carrier has made a commitment to regular flights to mainland Europe. With Schiphol`s status as one of Europe`s fastest-growing inter-lining airports this move really does connect Kent with the rest of the world and the rest of the world with Kent."

Laura Sandys, MP

I am delighted that KLM have decided to start offering flights from Manston. This makes Thanet even better connected with the rest of the world and makes our area a more attractive place to invest. I am very much looking forward to supporting KLM to ensure that this route is a success.

Sandra Matthews-Marsh, chief executive at Visit Kent, said:

"This is a tremendous opportunity for tourism businesses across East Kent and beyond. We now have a real opportunity to persuade more people heading to England to fly into Manston and discover the outstanding heritage, countryside and coast on London’s doorstep with excellent transport links into the heart of the capital.

Visit Kent already has very strong relationships with tourism partners in The Netherlands and we will continue to work closely with them to promote our county in their local markets for regular short breaks and day trips. Visit Kent was delighted to be invited to work with the airport team at Manston to promote Kent as a great destination for KLM passengers."

Thanet and east Kent Chamber of Commerce chief executive David Foley said:

"This news follows closely the announcement of a projected minimum of 3,000 jobs at the Discovery Park in Sandwich making for an excellent few weeks. Given the considerable savings in time and money to local long haul passengers transiting via Amsterdam, there is every reason to suppose that the arrival of KLM in Manston will stimulate employment in East Kent, reduce costs for exporters and boost tourism throughout the county. From today, the business community can shout loudly that Kent Loves Manston.

Given the considerable savings in time and money to local long-haul passengers transiting via Amsterdam, there is every reason to suppose that the arrival of KLM in Manston will stimulate employment in east Kent, reduce costs for exporters and boost tourism."

Thanet Conservative group leader Councillor Bob Bayford said:

"We desperately need jobs here and the Conservative group has always maintained that the airport could play a crucial role in the regeneration of Thanet. The Labour administration's short-sighted 'no night flights' policy would effectively ban this service, simply because one of the flights is 25 minutes before 7am, yet this is exactly the type of flexibility that we have long argued for."

Thanet Conservative Group has welcomed the announcement that KLM will introduce a twice daily service between Manston and Amsterdam in April 2013. Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Bob Bayford said:

"This is very positive news for both Manston Airport and for Thanet, particularly the immediate creation of nearly 30 jobs. We desperately need jobs here and the Conservative Group has always maintained that the airport could play a crucial role in the regeneration of Thanet.  The Labour administration's short sighted 'no night flights' policy would effectively ban this service, simply because one of the flights is 25 minutes before 7am, yet this is exactly the type of flexibility that the Conservative Group has long argued for."

Cllr Bayford also noted that the number of valid objections to 'night flights' from Labour's flawed consultation earlier this year was just 1329, whilst KLM's online survey produced over 9000 responses, 96% of which expressed demand for the service, and 80% of which were from within the Thanet area.

Thanet council leader Clive Hart tempered his enthusiasm with apparent concern for those residents who have opposed night flights. Mr Hart said the proposal would be allowed under a current Section 106 agreement banning certain night flights, as the KLM service would use a "quieter aircraft" carrying passengers to a European destination. He said:

"I welcome it most definitely – especially the jobs. In an ideal world I would have much preferred it if the later flight was at 7am, however, we are where we are."

Thanet District Council has warmly received the announcement made in Canterbury, that from 2 April, a new KLM service will operate from Manston Airport to Schiphol in Amsterdam. The service is within the parameters of the section 106 Agreement with Manston. Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Economic Development Services Cllr Clive Hart said:

"Thanet District Council welcomes this positive news and looks forward to what we hope is a new future for Manston Airport, which balances a bright economic future with empathy for the local environment and our residents. Thanet is a beautiful place and we would have welcomed the opportunity to have held Tuesday evening's event in our district, I sincerely hope we will be given that honour in the future."