Those in Thanet who are keen to see Manston Airport reopen have had their hopes boosted by transport minister John Hayes, following an investigation into the financial viability of the project.

Mr Hayes said that he was happy that the facility could be re-acquired by means of a compulsory purchase order (CPO) without exposing the local authority to undue risk. US company RiverOak is now expected to buy the airport by becoming Thanet Council’s indemnity partner in a CPO

It was also announced that Mr Hayes hoped to bring a major helicopter search and rescue service to Manston if it is eventually to reopen. The facility closed in May 2014, just seven months after it was bought by Ann Gloag, who was one of the co-founders of Stagecoach.
Mr Hayes added that he was delighted by the progress, which he called "huge steps towards securing Manston's future as a working airport".