Post by Humberside on Oct 15, 2013 19:11:13 GMT
Will be interesting to see what happens at MSE. Interesting and surprising purchaser
www.kentnews.co.uk/news/manston_airport_sells_for_a_1_to_stagecoach_co_founder_1_2882492
Manston Airport has been sold for £1, with its new owners vowing to exploit its potential.
Former owners Infratil had put the former RAF Manston on the market some time ago.
It has sold the airfield to Ann Gloag, co-founder of the Stagecoach Group, which she formed with her brother Brian Souter.
The deal was worth just £1 but the overall cost of completing the deal is expected to reach some £350,000.
Ann Gloag said: “I believe there is real potential for growth that has not been fully captured.
“Having worked in the transport industry for over 30 years, I believe I am very well placed to help maximise opportunities for both freight and passengers at Manston.”
Marko Bogoievski, chief executive of Infratil, said: “We’re very pleased to have found an acquiror with a vision for Manston Airport’s future development.
“From Infratil’s perspective, while Manston was a very small part of the company’s overall asset base, this sale will result in a more focused portfolio and improve our future cash flow position.”
The deal follows the sale last week of Glasgow Prestwick Airport – another of Infratil’s portfolio of airports – to the Scottish Government.
Completion of the Manston deal will be on or before November 29.
Manston is frequently touted as a major asset to east Kent’s economy. However, it has struggled in recent years with a string of failed attempts to establish passenger flights.
However, earlier this year KLM began operating a daily service to Schiphol in Amsterdam, allowing passengers to link in with the Dutch international airport.
KLM has remained tight-lipped so far about passenger numbers.
Former owners Infratil had put the former RAF Manston on the market some time ago.
It has sold the airfield to Ann Gloag, co-founder of the Stagecoach Group, which she formed with her brother Brian Souter.
The deal was worth just £1 but the overall cost of completing the deal is expected to reach some £350,000.
Ann Gloag said: “I believe there is real potential for growth that has not been fully captured.
“Having worked in the transport industry for over 30 years, I believe I am very well placed to help maximise opportunities for both freight and passengers at Manston.”
Marko Bogoievski, chief executive of Infratil, said: “We’re very pleased to have found an acquiror with a vision for Manston Airport’s future development.
“From Infratil’s perspective, while Manston was a very small part of the company’s overall asset base, this sale will result in a more focused portfolio and improve our future cash flow position.”
The deal follows the sale last week of Glasgow Prestwick Airport – another of Infratil’s portfolio of airports – to the Scottish Government.
Completion of the Manston deal will be on or before November 29.
Manston is frequently touted as a major asset to east Kent’s economy. However, it has struggled in recent years with a string of failed attempts to establish passenger flights.
However, earlier this year KLM began operating a daily service to Schiphol in Amsterdam, allowing passengers to link in with the Dutch international airport.
KLM has remained tight-lipped so far about passenger numbers.
www.kentnews.co.uk/news/manston_airport_sells_for_a_1_to_stagecoach_co_founder_1_2882492