The first KLM flight to Schiphol takes off from Manston

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Kent is now plugged into the world with today's take-off of KLM's first flight from Manston to Amsterdam.

For the first time, business and leisure passengers in the county will no longer have to face the often difficult journey to Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted to catch flights to a host of worldwide destinations.

Manston now offers an international gateway - via Schiphol's hub airport - on their doorstep.

After a series of aviation disappointments marked by the demise of EUjet, the scrapping of planned flights to Virginia and the withdrawal of Flybe services, there are hopes the Dutch venture will prove more permanent - and even expand frequency.

KLM is offering two return flights a day, departing Manston at 6.35am and 10.40am. Tickets for the 50-minute flight cost from £79.

The new service has created 42 airport jobs and around 5,000 tickets have been sold so far.

Manston Airport chief executive Charles Buchanan at the launch of KLM flights to Schiphol

"This is a fantastic day," airport chief executive Charles Buchanan said. "It's a testament to the efforts we have put in and the belief that KLM has in the opportunity and market in Kent.

"Kent residents have an airport on their doorstep they can use for all their worldwide travel needs. A quick hop to Amsterdam and the world's your oyster."

Mr Buchanan was happy with the level of bookings so far, but hoped to see even more. "The success of this service will be dependent on the number of people who use it," he said. "This is all about getting people to look east rather than west."

Malcolm Frier, human resources director at Fujifilm's Speciality Ink Systems division in Broadstairs, said: "We are looking forward to the convenient access the KLM service should bring in terms to our international business travellers, partners and customers, and we hope it will enable cheaper and more efficient end to end travel, especially to Japan, home of our parent company's global headquarters."

Stephen and Elaine Dukes were among the first passengers on the inaugural KLM service from Manston

If the KLM deal works, it will take Manston - which is for sale by its New Zealand owner Infrartil - a step closer towards its goal of two million passengers, 150,000 tonnes of freight, a new terminal and the creation of 3,000 direct and indirect jobs.

"At that level, the airport will generate about £65 million GVA (gross value added) in the local economy and support about 3,000 jobs, 2,000 of which will be directly related to airport operations," said Mr Buchanan.

Henri Hourcade, general manager for Air France KLM in the UK and Ireland, said: "Air travel is integral to UK business and for KLM it is about ensuring regional airports provide a gateway to the world so local firms can reach international markets."

The move links passengers from the Kent International Airport with 133 destinations accessed from Amsterdam. The centre of the city is just 15 to 20 minutes from the airport.

Manston aims to boost boost annual passenger numbers from one million to five million by 2033.

Last year, nearly 50 million passengers passed through Schiphol, making it one of Europe's busiest airports.