Manston Airport, near Margate in Kent, could reopen in 2029. The opening date of the airport has been pushed back by another year due to the “complexity of planning work, changes to the cost of the works and turbulence within the financial markets”.

The project is reportedly in the final stage, with “final discussions underway with a preferred, European-based funding partner”. The current project proposal cost is £750million. Tony Freudmann from airport owners RSP said: “RiverOak Strategic Partners expects Manston Airport to be operational in 2029, with consultation on proposed airspace to get underway in March 2026.

“Following four years of delays caused by the two judicial reviews, the further change to the timetable has been caused by the complexity of the planning work currently being undertaken, as well as changes to the cost of the works to reopen Manston, and turbulence within the financial markets – which has necessitated a longer period of time to identify and undertake due diligence with the right prospective funding partner. Those discussions are now in an advanced stage.

“Manston represents 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.

“RSP remains keen to get Manston open as soon as possible. However, we are realistic about the complexity of delivering a major infrastructure project. There are no shortcuts to reopening the airport, in a sustainable way, for the long term and delays can unfortunately become a part of the process of getting it right.

“We continue to work hard to realise our vision for Manston, which we know is equally important to our supporters in the local community.”

Manston Airport was originally a RAF base built in 1916. It then operated as a commercial terminal until it closed down in 2014. 

The airport has been used in recent years as a car park for the ferry port, and as a set for the 2022 film Empire of Light. In 2020, it was 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.