THE new owners of Kent International Airport at Manston, Infratil Ltd, have been spelling out their plans to senior members and officers at Thanet council.

In a positive meeting, some of the issues discussed included the prospects for local employment and the company’s business plan. The issue of a successor Section 106 environmental agreement for the airport was also raised.

Cllr Sandy Ezekiel, council leader, said: "The council is committed to seeing Manston become a vibrant regional airport.

We are pleased to have met with the new owners so soon. This was a very positive meeting and our first impressions are that we have a confident, but realistic company that we can do business with.

"Infratil has already produced impressive results at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, with passenger business growing by an average of 30% each year over the last five years. The company has a great track record in airport operations and it sees the potential of Manston and want to take it forward."

On the issue of the 106 Agreement, he added: "Infratil is keen to work with us to develop the successor 106 Agreement. It’s important that the company knows how the local community feel about the airport. We have given Infratil the results of the public consultation that we carried out earlier this year, so it is aware of the issues that concern local people.

"The company is also aware that the overwhelming majority of local people want to see a successful airport. This is a company that is used to working with the local community at Glasgow Prestwick and Wellington International Airport in New Zealand and it is keen to develop a similar relationship here, which is extremely encouraging."

Infratil, a specialist infrastructure and investment company that already operates airports worldwide, bought Kent International Airport for £17 million.