The county could become a gateway to the United States by next spring, Kent on Sunday can reveal. Negotiations are at advanced stages to operate passenger flights between Kent International Airport at Manston and Norfolk, Virginia, on the east coast of the US. Alex King, deputy leader of Kent County Council, told KoS:

"Although nothing is yet settled, we think there is a high probability that it will go ahead."

And he emphasised KCC was using no public subsidies to help the operation get off the ground. He added:

"I am hopeful that there will be flights to the US out of Kent and vice versa by the beginning of April or May next year."

Kent on Sunday 20th Feb 2006