TDC has lost control of Manston

At first I thought that might be a surprising, or even shocking, headline. But on reflection, I'm sorry to say it isn't. At all.

TDC have never really chosen to exercise any control; Manston does pretty much whatever it likes; and us poor sods who live under the flight path (especially those who have used Manston's pitiful complaints system) are all too well aware that Manston operates what is technically termed "uncontrolled airspace".

All this relates to the now infamous 5th October "Wakey Wakey Ramsgate" incident. As you will see from their confession, Manston ignored the S106 agreement and flew planes in and out through the night.

If they get their way with their next night flights application, we'll be getting this kind of misery every night. Click HERE to see who to write to, and keep writing to them until the penny drops.

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Dear Ms. Homer,

You will note from the response below that these old crates arrived AND departed during the night period. Perhaps you can explain to me why TDC thinks that this is acceptable.

Previous complaints to Infratil have established that late arrivals are always blamed on delays at some godforsaken African runway or another. I fail to see how this excuse can be wheeled out to explain why Infratil is allowing freighters to be scheduled to DEPART during the night period. Richard Nicholson will confirm that it was never TDC's intention to allow this and the Section 106 was intended to prevent any such unacceptable activity from taking place.

Unless you are planning to take some action of which I am unaware I think it is clear that TDC has lost control of this situation. The admission that the Council has failed to monitor the airport's activities, even after being warned, was bad enough. Now, we are seeing the result of years of neglect by TDC in failing to renegotiate and update the Section 106 Agreement.

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We are sorry that you have found cause to complain about the operation of the Airport and apologise for any disturbance caused. As the operators of Manston, Kent’s International Airport, we are very conscious of the noise generated by the Airport in the local community. For this reason, Manston has in place operational guidelines for all aircraft operators designed to minimise airport related noise on the community. Your complaint has been investigated and the aircraft concerned was operating in accordance with safe working practice. Details of the Aircraft operating around the time you mention is as follows:-