Abandoned UK airport takes next step to reopening after over a decade closed

It was closed in 2014

There are 19 Airports in the UK which saw more than a million passengers through its terminal doors in 2025 while the UK Parliament website details that there are "50 airports in the UK that can be considered regional."

While regional airlines are struggling in the UK, regional airports are on the up as low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, EasyJet and Jet2 continue to base planes at smaller airports away from the capital.

Even with regional airlines such as Blue Islands and Eastern Airways going bust in recent months, CAA reported an increase by 2.3 per cent in overall UK passenger traffic.

And, despite the closure of Coventry Airport to make way for a business park, there are plans to reopen Doncaster Airport and now Manston Airport in Kent has taken the next step to reopening.

RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP) purchased the site seven years ago for £16.5 million, and announced plans to reopen it.

Initial plans wanted the airport back open by 2025, although this date has been pushed back to 2029.

The group cited mounting construction costs and a turbulent financial marker as the reason for the delay.

The next step

While progress continues along, the project has moved to the next step as the planning process is officially in stage three with a public consultation period ongoing until 22 June.

This is where proposed changes to flight paths and airspace structure are presented to residents, communities, and wider stakeholders.

Stage three will involve a series of in-person and online events over the course of three months.

Tony Freudmann, Director at RiverOak Strategic Partners, said: "This consultation is an important step in our ambitions to reopen Manston Airport, representing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver new runway capacity to support the UK air cargo market and to transform the economic landscape in East Kent.

"We know Manston holds a special place in the area’s history, we would encourage people to find out more about our proposal and provide any feedback they might have to help shape our plans."

The current project proposal cost is £750million.

Originally, the airport was a RAF base built in 1916. Until its closing in 2014, it operated as a commercial terminal unit.

In recent years, it was used as a car park for the ferry port, and as a set for the 2022 film Empire of Light.

It was then used as an emergency holding facility for thousands of lorries that were parked there, in response to the disruption caused by the closure of the French borders in 2020.