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Manston goes to Gloag for a pound

[ November 29, 2013   //   ]

Scots businesswoman Ann Gloag has bought Manston Airport in Kent from New Zealand investment fund, Infratil, tfor just £1. Gloag, who was one of the founders of the Stagecoach bus and transport group in 1980 pledged to use her 30 years experience in the transport industry and to optimise both freight and passenger growth at Manston.

She has also taken on business turnaround specialist Alastair Welch, who will lead the new team at Manston.

Passenger traffic is currently at a low ebb at Manston, with just a twice-daily KLM flight to Amsterdam, but the airport has recently been successful in attracting cargo operations. These include twice-weekly Saudi Airlines 747F flights from Kenya, plus flights by Allied Aviation, Magma, Cargolux and a new joint venture between ANA Aviation Services and Astral Aviation of Kenya.(See FBJ 7 2013)

Another airport owned by Infratil, Prestwick near Glasgow, has already been sold to the Scottish government.

Leader of Kent County Council Paul Carter added: “We are delighted that Manston Airport has ambitious new owners in Ann Gloag and her company. Manston Airport has massive potential to create prosperity and job opportunities in East Kent.”

 

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