Volume surge and an early peak season? 'Don't celebrate too soon,' warning
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By Alex Lennane
The developer of Manston Airport, which aims to re-open as a cargo hub in spring 2023, will target market share from continental airports as well as scoop up any UK air freight growth, such as that driven by e-commerce.
Despite publicly voiced concerns by cargo consultants, ...
Comment on this article
Tired of Tony
September 28, 2020 at 2:41 pmGreat you reached out to check most of Tony’s unsubstantiated lines. Thank you
The article cites a comment by Mr Freudmann of “there is a possibility of using rail”. As you will be aware there is no rail freight terminal near the Manston site nor is one in the works. There is a passenger station in the works.
The article further cites Mr Freudmann is “is also in talks with Port of London Authority to move goods by water from Ramsgate, and then up the Thames to central London, “a clean solution to cut out lorries””.
They mind boggles as to the USP of Manston and its last mile offer.
Come fly to Manston, land and unload your freight on to an HGV, drive 15-20 minutes to Ramsgate Port. Once at Ramsgate Port offload your freight off the HGV and then load it on to a barge. Your just in time goods will then be ferried from Ramsgate Port to the Port of London (aka just near Tilbury docks and a few other airports) and then on reaching the Port of London your freight will be off loaded and on loaded on to another HGV???
Aside from the obvious time and cost problems. Every move puts pharma at risk. If the pharmaceuticals are compromised not only will it be a very expensive loss, they can lose efficacy. So why an earth would pharma move anything this way?
Simon Crow
September 28, 2020 at 3:23 pmThese are extraordinary claims by Mr Freudmann.
His original justification for a cargo airport at Manston bore little credibility. After a two year review, it was rejected by the government’s own inspectors.
Today, with the Covid impact resulting in much spare capacity at all UK airports, likely for years to come, together with the real environmental concerns from flying, his plans are pure fantasy.
samara jones-hall
September 28, 2020 at 3:43 pmThe position statement of the County Council that Mr Fruedmann refers to as “support” can read here> https://www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/strategies-and-policies/transport-and-highways-policies/aviation/manston-airport-position-statement
It concludes on page 12 saying that “the truth is that Manston has failed over a prolonged period of time to run as a commercially successful airport. Kent County Council gave strong support to various investors but the reality of commercial aviation at Manston Airport led to very significant losses. In fact, in the 16 years since it was taken into privately ownership it has incurred losses by those who have tried to operate it in excess of £100 million”.
Barry James
May 21, 2021 at 6:34 pmwhy on earth is there not an article refuting comments by dear Tone or one looking at his business acumen.
Airfreight is expensive but pure freighters are much more expensive and Tony must believe he is some sort of expert to believe that after the passengers come back and airfreight moves back to bellyhold the discerning freight forwarder will cut their own throats and carry on using freighters.
“He is confident: “We wouldn’t have serious investors if the airport wasn’t viable,” he said.” yet he won’t say who they are and that in itself is telling. I personally cannot see any intelligent investor throwing £300M into a freight Hub when there are better returns available. As to long term Manston has been handling freight since 1959 and not one business has ever made a profit.