The future of Manston airport could be in doubt if it doesn't operate night flights, according to its boss.

Research commissioned by Kent International Airport revealed night flight restrictions could cost the Thanet site an estimated 1.3 million passengers and 67,000 tonnes of freight a year by 2018.

It could even lead to the closure of the airport.

The statement comes after airport bosses called for the extra flights to boost profits and create jobs.

But the Labour group on Manston council has called for restrictions on the night services.

The airport-commissioned report says the proposed restrictions would "increase the airport's financial losses, making it untenable for any owner."

According to the report, the ability to run full passenger and freight services would depend of the ability to schedule flights during the night.

It claims any loss of trade would slash in half the airport's potential to create jobs, from more than 2,000 people directly employed in airport activities to just 1,102 jobs by 2018.

The report was carried out by York Aviation.

Charles Buchanan, CEO of Manston Airport, said: "The implications on the local and wider East Kent economy of restricting our operating hours beyond the proposal we previously submitted is estimated to be in the region of £30m a year, and even brings the airport's financial viability into question.

"This may not just be a question of the scale of benefits that the airport can bring to the area, but whether there is a viable business at all under these restrictions."

He said the firm was trying to build a regional airport in Kent - competing with the likes of Stansted, Luton and Gatwick.

In order to attract low-cost airlines the airport needed the flexibility of scheduling flights between 11pm and 7am, he said.

But the controversial plan has been met with objections from locals, councillors and MPs, who have opposed the noise any additional flights will make.