Flights from Manston Airport to Schiphol begin next month

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Passengers on the first KLM flights from Manston Airport will be able to relax in a new executive lounge before take-off.

Work has started on the facility that should be ready in time for the inaugural KLM flight to Schiphol in Amsterdam on April 2.

The lounge aims to create a relaxing business environment for passengers, offering comfy sofas and chairs, television and free newspapers and magazines.

It will also be equipped with workstations, wi-fi as well as printer and mobile phone battery charging facilities.

Refreshments, including teas, coffees and a light breakfast, will be available to passengers flying on the morning flight.

The facilities will be free to KLM's Skyteam Elite, Elite Plus and business customers, while other passengers can emjoy a similar service for £15.

The new service aims to woo passengers away from Heathrow, Gatwick and
Stansted for the 40-minute flight to Amsterdam's hub airport – plus easier road travel and parking.

The hope is many passengers will use the service for onward travel by airlines serving 190 destinations worldwide.

Airport chief executive Charles Buchanan (pictured right) said: "The new lounge is part of our ongoing efforts to upgrade facilities at the airport and support passengers using the new KLM route.

"We believe it will be another compelling reason why business passengers will choose to fly from Manston via the twice-daily service to Schiphol, rather than fight their way around the M25 and M11 to other airports."

Meanwhile, the airport is hoping to find lounge sponsors. Mr Buchanan said: "A number of Kent companies have expressed an interest in marketing their services to travellers.

"The Executive Lounge offers them an opportunity to reach a business audience and there is the possibility for one or more local companies to sponsor the new facility."

JBH Refurbishment, based in Staplehurst, is creating the new lounge.