It has been announced that Manston Airport (aka Kent International Airport) will close on May 15 2014 with the loss of 150 jobs. A bid form US company  RiverOak Investment to buy the airfield, is the latest failed attempt to save this once famous RAF station, and staff were informed yesterday (May 6) of the intended closure.

The Airport was purchased in late 2013 by Ann Gloag, co- founder of the Stagecoach Group, reportedly for £1 plus the debts, which were said to be increasing at the rate of £10,000 per day.

Consultants brought in to assess the future profitability of the Airport decided that there was unlikely to be sufficient freight or passenger traffic to make it viable, and following a consultation with the workforce, the decision to close has been taken.

Local Councillors and MPs are opposed to the closure, and a Save Manston Airport group has vowed the fight will continue to save the airport. Founder of the campaign group, Dan Light, commented: "I believe that something can be done. I mean, it's not the end yet. It may look like it is, but we're going to fight to the bitter end."

KLM, the largest commercial operator at the site, who ran two flights per day to Amsterdam, has already ceased operations.