TAKING OFF
Abandoned UK airport to reopen for first event in over a decade in ‘last hurrah’ before total overhaul
The company that owns the airfield announced plans to invest £800million into the site
AN ABANDONED UK airport is set to reopen for its first event in over a decade in a "last hurrah" before its total overhaul.
The closed airport confirmed plans to host its first international airshow in over a decade next summer.
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A two-day event will be held at Manston Airport as a "last hurrah" for the old runway before it is transformed into an international hub.
Thanet Airfield, which closed in 2014, was cleared to reopen after successfully overcoming a legal challenge earlier this year.
RiverOak Strategic Partners, the company that owns the airfield, announced plans to invest £800million into the site.
Bosses added that the injection of funds will help restore the airport as a commercially successful travel hub for passengers.
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However, the extensive renovations needed to transform the site are not expected to begin until early 2026, with completion projected by early 2028.
Tony Freudmann, director at RiverOak, said the airshow, the first at the site since 2013, is a great opportunity for people to see the airport for the last time before it is transformed.
He told : "The air show will be the last hurrah for the old airport as it is now, that is how we see it anyway."
The details of the upcoming Manston International Airshow have yet to be revealed, but aviation enthusiasts will be excited to know that the Belgium-based Bronco Demo Team OV-10B will be featured in the lineup.
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The skilled group of pilots are renowned for their performances with the North American OV-10 Bronco - a 1960s aircraft designed for counter-insurgency combat.
Mr Freudmann added: “This will be the first big air show at the airport since 2013.
Abandoned UK airport is ‘weeks away’ from being given go-ahead to reopen – with plans to restart flights by 2028
"People should expect lots and lots of activities and aircraft flying in and out."
In a post shared online, the external organisers of the show added: “We are thrilled to be able to start sharing with you what will be a spectacular event for Kent a show that we have been working on as a team since August.
“Our sincere thanks must be extended to RiverOak Strategic Partners and Visit Thanet for their support in us being able to launch such an incredibly high-profile show in the Garden of England.”
The Manston International Airshow will take place at Thanet Airfield on August 16 and 17.
It comes after a discontinued UK airport that once offered budget flights to Spain and Cyprus has revealed plans to re-open after a two-year closure.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport shut in 2022 after Wizz Air confirmed it would terminate the majority of its flights from the airport.
The airport, also known as the Robin Hood Airport, is located in Finningley near Doncaster and previously served millions of travellers heading to holiday destinations.
It opened to passengers in 2005 and was one of only two commercial international airports in Yorkshire.
The airport's reopening is expected to delight nearby residents, who will be eager to once again use the popular travel hub.
Mayor Ros Jones stated that she intends to keep "councillors, residents, and businesses updated" as plans progress to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
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She added: "The procurement of an operator is in its final stages of due diligence, we have regular meetings with investors, businesses and airlines.
"We have submitted a Statement of Need to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in relation to re-establishing our airspace, this will soon be publicly available via the CAA website, I cannot emphasise enough the importance of retaining our airspace, our MPs continue to engage with the Aviation Minister in relation to this."
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