News on the grapevine is that Cargolux one of KIA's best customers and one of the worlds largest freight carrier will be increasing up to 7 flights a week in the not too distant future.
Also there is news that yet another freight carrier, may be relocating to KIA shortly, due to the excellent service that the airport provides.
These are "day time flights" during scheduled airport hours, using the very latest 747-400 aircaft, before the nimby's start squirming
THE amount of cargo handled by Kent International Airport in the UK during May was up 68 per cent on the same month last year.
Latest figures show 2,260 tons of freight was handled at the airport last month, in what is traditionally its off-season for import cargo.
Matt Clarke (right), the airport’s chief executive, said KIA had recovered strongly from the fuel price spike in early 2008 and the associated drop in traffic experienced last year.
“The results represent a pleasing turnaround for us and show that we have bounced back from a challenging 2008. Like a number of other airports, we saw our cargo traffic decline as several airlines struggled to adapt to the rapid increase in fuel prices.
“Since then, however, the cargo side of our business has experienced steady growth as cost-conscious airlines seek out airports that can deliver the best value for money. Our freight handling facilities are second to none, with rapid import clearance systems and convenient access to the London distribution centres. Those factors have been instrumental to us winning new business,” said Clarke.
Infratil, the airport owner, has invested heavily in freight handling facilities in recent years and the airport has built a strong reputation in the industry based on its ability to unload airfreight, process it and allow shipments to get out on he road extremely quickly.
“If consumers find they can get something better and cheaper then they will use it and airlines are no different. In this economic climate every minute’s flying time and every pound counts, making Kent International Airport an ideal substitute for the larger – and sometimes more expensive – London airports,” Clarke added.
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45 comments:
thank god we have this blog, the other one about the stop expansion seems to be getting more and more insular. you cant comment on there without being bashed down.
good to see that manston is finally putting out some good news, fingers crossed their email update show this to improve month on month and start bringing in the cash. Matt Clarke seems to be pretty media savvy, so hopefully wel continue to see the good news and updates flowing from the airport.
Does anyone know if the rumour is true that Flybe might introduce a new route next year? If it is what will the nimbys say then!!
I think to be fair, it's probably a bit of wishful thinking at the moment, all airlines are being very prudent at the moment and cutting back rather than announcing new routes.
That said, I do see that if the Jersey flights continue to grow into next year, i'm sure It will be something they will be looking at.
Dream on you loonies. It ain't gonna happen.
You see Daniel, thats the danger of posting articles that are TRUTHFUL and not the fiction of smeggers and his mates...
But perhaps the truth is how much contribution to the significant overhead of running a safe airport are these flights making? Not to mention making a dent in the significant debt and future capital expenditure requirements for replacement equipment such as radar, fire engines, roads, infrastructure, secirity etc.
You don't need to be an accountant to realise that it simply doesn't add up so how long will the Infratil Board be able to pacify their major shareholders that the whole European venture is worthwhile? If you were a shareholder and relying on the Infratil's performance for your pension; would you keep putting money in?
I really think you people need to WAKE UP!!!!!!!
People will fight for their health and safety and say what needs to be said. It's easy to say anti expansion groups are loons. It's the only real come back pro expansion people have. Oh and of course the rumor that jobs and wealth will come to the area. That's been shown to have been a scam that's been used on many other expansion plans from the aviation lobby.
Here's an example.
Airport Jobs false hopes cruel hoax.
www.aef.org.uk/downloads/Airport_jobs_false_hopes_cruel_hoax_March2009_AEF.pdf
Check everything before you blindly walk into this
68% up on last year, which were 50% down on the year before. You are not even at 2007 numbers at you are making it sound as though all infratils problems have gone away.
Unsustainable, that's what you are......
Matt Clark's picture is a bit old because the airline went to wall some time ago.
every picture tell a story?
Anon 12.25
It is easy to say that most anti's are loons Because they are!, just have a look around at some of hangers on that smeggers has, it's enough to want to make you donate to charity !
I welcome reasoned debate, it's unfortunate there is very little of it about.
Smeggers 13.36
Nice to see you over here, still tossing figures in the air and waiting for them to land your way i see.
Anon 14.00
Is that really all you have to say? - you pick up on the fact, that a library picture has been used, showing Matt in front of a DAS Air DC10.
well done you ! you little news hound....
What about his tie or his suit even - this years colours do ya think!
Do you think matt would promote Mays freight as
better than 2008, but worse than 2007?
It's not me presenting average figures as the saviour of manston.
We could write the headlines now;
2009 was miles better than 2008, as that was the worst year on record. If we hadn't have done better, it would mean our business was failing.... Oh, it is.
Smeggers?
Apparantly - acording to your blog anyway - you are in Spain and detest air transport soooo much that you drove to Spain?
Can you confirm this please for all your excited eco followers.
Spain and next week France, , by car and train. Yes.
No airport hassle, as much baggage as I can muster, no car hire, two destinations, a pleasure.
Homer, what about answering the point about the Infratil investment?
Rumour is that Kuzu will be coming in every Wednesday. It's been a bumper week for Turks, with three in.
Homer? who me?
Ok the investment - I take it you are refering to the above anon post regarding the level of existing and future investment at KIA by Infratil.
KIA, was purchased by Infratil knowing full well the finacial position of the required investment and subsequent losses.
They purchased the Airport as a "long term investment" and as such have continualy invested in new equipment and staff to meet the current and future needs.
Every flight in and out is making a dent in the overall running costs and despite many claims by the smeggers brigade, what people seem to forget is that kia is "licensed aerodrome" meaning that it has to meet strict safety controls and be regularly audited by Safety Regulatory Group and any serious lapses in safety, could mean a loss of licence, meaning that the airport would close.
This has never happened and from what I know of the team up there it never will.
As a matter of interest, tha Das Air DC10 is still at the airport so you can still have a pic taken next to it if you wish.
Jeremy
Had the displeasure of being in a room with you once. Are you still a 'Jack of...Master of...?'
How's the 'portfolio-career' going?
Is this your latest pitch?
Comical.
Cheeky sod, linking back to your blog Mr Buttplug tut, tut.
Guilty as charged: I linked to a post full of FACTS. I apologise for forgetting you're allergic to reality, but you really should give your reader(s) the option of seeing the facts.
Homer
You didn't answer the question, simply spouted the old lines which are no longer valid (in similar fashion to what your homer logo depicts). As a shareholder in Infratil would you continue to put your own and other shareholders money in this venture when there are better investments available to you.
Hitler used to silence people by cutting off what they said. If you want to starve Earplugs then you should erase all his entries as they also link back to his interesting site........
Mr Earwax, I don't have problem with any reader viewing your blog, if they so wish, but i do object to blatant blog linking just to get more hits!
Mr Anon:
You asked a question, i answered it and yes i would continue to invest in Infratil as a shareholder, it's not just Airports ya know.
I have no intention of stopping Mr Earwax posting, if it is in relation to the current thread, not to pick up a few extra hits, by linking directly back to his blog.
Your view that his blog is "interesting" is a personal one and not one i share.
Perhaps this is why you do not run a company in which investors (and pension holders) rely on pragmatic and commercially astute decisions?
You nimbys can't see the real opportunity that you have on your doorstep. Night flying is the key to lot's of airlines signing up to come to Manston. It will create jobs and you lot better be aware that the people will need jobs.
Rumour is the night flights will be agreed as it is a shoe in for all concerned. There will be a CPO on King Arthur, Arundel and Windsor and its jobs galore.
Rumour is, a legal challenge will blow the bollocks off of tdc if they try.
Oh, and a mayoral petition will put someone else in charge if they try to push ahead.
Anon 03 July 2009 21:26,
Is that the one in the hanger that the local authorities spent a fortune of taxpayers money on. Where is the return on that money? Another Manston black hole? Face the facts, it is excellent real estate that can generate many jobs with minimal environmental impact. Why waste more money pursuing an aviation solution when it simply is not viable?
"I answered it and yes i would continue to invest in Infratil as a shareholder, it's not just Airports ya know.
And won't much longer as it simply does not fit into the stated criteria on the website. "Infratil aims to deliver on its absolute return target of 20% pa. after tax on a long term basis." How many airports do?
quod erat demonstrandum
I am very surprised this blog is still open
Is it?
Keep it up chaps, just back from my hols, don't worry i'm still here.
Did you fly from Manston?
Unfortunately no I didn't I had to travel to "Gatwick" to get a flight to my desired destination and after spending almost 2 hours on the M26/M25 corridor it proved, to take me longer to travel to the Airport than it did to fly.
Yet another reason as if it needed any more why Manston desperately needs low cost scheduled services to serve the South East.
so for your convenience to save a couple of hours a year, Ramsgate residents have to put up with planes at under 1,000 feet over the whole town, day, night.
Very selfish.
Have HR been onto you?
...and the rest of Thanet benefits. Seems reasonable enough to me Smeggy.
"so for your convenience to save a couple of hours a year, Ramsgate residents have to put up with planes at under 1,000 feet over the whole town, day, night."
Me and thousands of others like me snobbers.
The purpose of the majority of modern travelers is to get from a to b in the quickest most convenient way and unfortunately for you (it seems) that means air travel.
thousands of others?
Where are they all?
Like you, flying from Gatwick.
Thanet can't support Manston. The proof is in your woeful passenger numbers.
Because Manston isn't offering the low cost scheduled services that they want. It's really not that complicated if you think about it...
peter - I know this may trouble you, but there is no such thing as a low cost flight or airline.
Low cost, high cost, they are not here.
Manston -freight airport, and f**k all else.
Will thanetians be happy with an airport that flies them nowhere, but fruit come in by the ancient bucketload?
Freight airports employ few. Not exactly what the council ordered.
loon - when are HR going to stop you from keeping this pointless blog open? Very soon methinks......
If this blog is so pointless then why are you reading & commenting on it...
Anyway Stevie boy, how's your campaign doing? I can't recall seeing you on TV (or on the radio or in newspapers come to think of it) . Could it be that no-one takes you seriously anymore?
I'll be around for a while yet smeggers, sorry to dissapoint.....
Erm well ok i'm not sorry ! ;-)
You'll just have to get used to someone publishing facts about the Airport rather than the loonatic rants coming from yours.
ho hum
....BTW
Hows the old "enemies of Ramsgate" thing going?
How many more thousands of enemies have you made today?
I was in Ramsgate last night actaully watching a very average firework display at the harbour.
Shame we didn't meet up.............NOT !
Maybe Stevie boy can start a "Friends of S.M.E.G." series. Now that will be a REAL challenge!
Pete, old boy, its the only place where I can indulge in my favourite sport - jousting with you two! And hey, its not only sad young me checking out this blog. You're on here as well! at 1am! and 7.30am! Take a rest mate, especially at your age!
you both have such similar outlooks, can we expect to see looney baring his arse on naked rambles with you? Will pete end up being in charge of the chocs up at Manston? Or on the door of the coffee shop?
Looney - whats your point on the firework display? Making yet another derogatory remark about Ramsgate? Not the sort of behaviour you would expect of such a good neighbour. I happened to be in the harbour myself. Not one for fireworks me. Bit noisy.
Rust never sleeps son...
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