A western apron and linked taxiway has opened at London Manston Airport. The £8 million investment provides a further 10 acres of operating apron space and adds to the ILS, approach lighting, ATC tower and runway resurfacing upgrading that has taken place at the airport.

The development was opened by Department for Transport under-secretary of state, David Jamieson MP."The Government welcomes this development and we value the contribution which the airport makes to the local community, particularly in terms of job creation,” he said.

There are no current plans for further development of the airport’s business facilities, but business development manager, Tony Knight told EBAN: “the facility is there and it's really just a matter of whether people want to use it.”

Despite the lack of development plans, there is already involvement with business aviation at Manston. “We deal with executive jet size traffic and we have a vip lounge, provide vip catering and can arrange for limousines,” said Knight. “Gulfstreams, Learjets, you name them, we get them. We’ve also got a 727 executive aircraft being based here from next week, it’s for International Jet Services.”

According to Knight, the new apron space will make all the difference in terms of easing congestion. It will also add to the advantages of using the airport for business aviation purposes. “If they (business customers) are coming to somewhere in the south east, it is a good choice to come here because it is fairly uncongested for slots. If they try to get into Gatwick or Heathrow there’s a problem. They can come in here pretty much anytime they like.”