A closed airport has revealed plans to host its first international airshow in more than a decade next summer.

Bosses behind Manston Airport say they hope the two-day event will be the “last hurrah” for the old runway before it is transformed into an international hub.

The Thanet airfield has been closed since 2014, but earlier this year it finally saw off a legal challenge meaning it is now cleared to reopen.

RiverOak Strategic Partners, the company which owns the airfield, says it intends to plough £800million into the site to get it up and running again as a commercially successful venture, and hopes to eventually resume passenger flights too.

However, extensive renovation of the airport is not expected to begin until 2026, with a completion date of early 2028.

Tony Freudmann, director at RiverOak, told KentOnline he hopes the airshow, which will be the first at the airport since 2013, will allow people to see the airport for the last time before it is revitalised.

He added: “The air show will be the last hurrah for the old airport as it is now, that is how we see it anyway.

“It is a chance to showcase the airport and to remind the world Manston is still there. It will be the last showing of how it is now before work starts in 2026.

“It will have two fantastic days and then we will wait for the works to start and the ribbon cutting.”

Whilst the full details of the Manston International Airshow have not yet been revealed, it has been confirmed the Belgium-based Bronco Demo Team OV-10B will be in the lineup.

The group of enthusiasts are known for its performances featuring the North American OV-10 Bronco - an aircraft developed in the 1960s for counter-insurgency combat.

Mr Freudmann added: “This will be the first big air show at the airport since 2013. People should expect lots and lots of activities and aircraft flying in and out.

“We hope people will turn up and then turn up when it is the airport. Weather permitting, it should be two great days.”

In a post shared online, the external organisers of the show added: “We are thrilled to be able to start sharing with you what will be a spectacular event for Kent a show that we have been working on as a team since August.

“Our sincere thanks must be extended to RiverOak Strategic Partners and Visit Thanet for their support in us being able to launch such an incredibly high-profile show in the Garden of England.”

The Manston International Airshow will be held at the airport on August 16 and 17, 2025.