Responding to the Thanet District Council’s consultants report on Manston Airport’s economic impact
Charles Buchanan, Chief Executive of Manston Airport, said: “We welcome the report’s conclusions which state that: ‘…we are satisfied with the approach and values used for the economic assessment.’
“It adds: ‘The overall approach conforms to what we would consider ‘industry standard’ for an economic impact assessment of this kind. The use of Direct On-Site, Direct Off-Site, Indirect, Induced and Wider employment impacts is well recognised for socio-economic impact studies.
“Given that Parson Brinckerhoff, the Council’s consultant, acknowledges that they themselves only have ‘some relatively minor queries’, we are surprised that the Council has arrived at the conclusion that these challenge the findings of the economic impact assessment submitted by the Airport.
On the issue of future passenger numbers:
Charles Buchanan added: “Given the well documented shortage of runway capacity in the South East, recognised by the government, Boris Johnson and Lord Foster, we strongly believe that it is a case of ‘when, rather than if’, Manston secures the predicted passenger numbers and delivers the economic impact.
“The airport’s progress may have been hindered by the current economic conditions, but we remain optimistic of its long term future. Fundamental to the airport’s ability to deliver its Master Plan is the principle of having a mitigated and managed regime for night-time flying.”
On the issue of noise impact:
Charles Buchanan added: “We would question the report’s conclusions that we have underestimated the potential adverse noise impacts. Our studies have been undertaken in accordance with standard industry practice and government guidance by recognised expert noise analysts.”