Airport cuts back expansion plans

The airport's owner wants to see a huge increase in passenger numbers

A Kent airport has cut back its 25-year expansion plan because of the effects of the recession on aviation.

Kent International Airport, based at Manston, has published the final version of its master plan, which was first set out in October last year.

It has cut its forecast for passenger numbers in 2018 to 2.2 million from the previous 2.7 million and in 2033 to 4.7 million instead of 5.7 million.

The airport said 400 members of the public responded to the draft plan.

"Like most businesses in the UK aviation marketplace, our business has felt the impact of the recession," said Matt Clark, chief executive of Kent International.

"Our cargo business has proved itself to be resilient but the recent market activity has delayed our plans for passenger service expansion in 2009."

Daily services

The master plan shows the airport expects fewer than 50,000 passengers in 2010, rising to 527,000 in 2014.

It is working on the assumption that airlines will begin operating daily scheduled services from Manston from 2014 at the latest.

The total number of passenger flights per day are expected to rise from one in 2010 to 56 in 2018 and 97 in 2033.

"We do not expect medium or long-term growth in demand to be affected by the current economic climate," said Mr Clark.

"But the milestones in the master plan have been pushed out to account for the impact of the recession on the first few years."

The master plan for the 800-acre site will be reviewed every five years.

The airport's plans for expansion have been opposed by residents in the Stop Manston Expansion Group, Kent Green Party and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.