The Manston International Airshow will take place over two days in August 2025, with the first major aviation event to be held at Manston Airport since 2013
An air show is set to return to an airport closed since 2014.
Air show enthusiasts should mark their calendars for a sky-high spectacle in 2025 as Manston Airport in Kent gears up to host its first air show in over a decade. The team behind the Manston International Airshow declared that the event will light up the skies next August.
Taking place on Saturday, August 16 and Sunday, August 17, the event in Thanet promises high-flying thrills. Announcing the news with excitement on Facebook, organisers said: “We are thrilled to have you on board and 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 and are delighted to confirm as a date for the diary.”
An official website is set to launch soon providing all the specifics on securing tickets and opportunities for exhibitors, reports Kent Live.
The Belgium-based Bronco Demo Team, flying the iconic North American OV-10 Bronco, is set to impress onlookers with a stellar display in the skies. Wrapping up, organisers expressed their gratitude: “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.”
Back in April 2014, Manston Airport saw its final departure when a flight took off to Amsterdam. The closure resulted in the loss of 144 jobs. Now, nearly a decade post-closure, the site is gearing up for a revival as an air cargo hub, ready to commence operations in 2025. Initially, it will only serve as a cargo airport. However, talks are underway to add passenger flights from 2028. The renovation of Manston will reportedly cost around £500million and will include new terminals and updated runways.
If the cargo side of the airport is successful, passenger routes to countries like the Netherlands, Spain, Cyprus and Malta could be launched. The airport’s owners are said to be in talks with budget airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air, it was reported two years ago.
The success of nearby airports Luton and Stansted suggests there may be enough demand in the area for more passenger flights. The airport’s owners, RiverOak Strategic Partners, who bought the site for £14million, will start by operating five cargo flights per day.
The refurbishment plans for Manston Airport were given the green light last August, even though planners had recommended they be turned down. The Planning Inspectorate argued the airport would not provide services “additional to, or different from” other airports, it would be bad for the environment and would lead to more pressure on local roads.
