Infratil, the company that owns Kent International Airport (KIA) (website: www.kentinternationalairport-manston.com), has outlined ambitious plans that would see it develop the base into one of the UK’s largest regional airports.
Just 16,000 people currently pass through the facility each year, but under the new plans that figure would rise to one million within just three years, and then six million by 2033.
Proposals to increase dramatically the amount of freight passing through the gateway – up from 33,000 tonnes to 500,000 tonnes – are also included in the master plan.
Infratil chief executive Matt Clarke said that growth in aviation is “destined to continue” and that Kent Airport is ideally situated to capitalise on that because of its location.
He explained: “We expect passenger growth to stem from in and around the Kent catchment area as congestion at London airports increases and services to and from convenient regional airports like KIA become increasingly attractive.”
A consultation period into the plan is due to run through to December 19, after which time a final draft of the master plan will be drawn up.
