Manston airport: TG Aviation back in High Court to bring case against Kent Facilities Limited owned by Ann Gloag in a bid to return to the airfield

A flight training company returns once again to the High Court today in a bid to get an injunction against the closure of Manston Airport.

TG Aviation’s case against the site’s owners Kent Facilities Limited has twice been put back.

The company runs Thanet Flying Club and has been based at the airfield for 30 years but was forced to move to Lydd when it closed in May, despite having 50 years left on their lease.

TG Aviation
TG Aviation

The injunction would require the owners to give the company permission to use the runway.

The firm’s bid has twice been adjourned, initially to give Kent Facilities Limited – owned by Stagecoach founder Ann Gloag – time to gather evidence.

Tasha Girdler of the family-run company said they had been told to produce evidence that it is being run in accordance with the rules of an unlicensed airport.

Tasha said: “The situation is devastating. My grandfather Ted, who founded the company 30 years ago, would be horrfied. We have got to remain positive and keep going.”

Manston airport. Picture: Simon Burchett
Manston airport. Picture: Simon Burchett

The Civil Aviation Authority were asked to remove the airport’s operating licence shortly after it closed.

A CAA spokesman said: “The owners of Manston Airport asked the CAA to cancel their licence, as they were no longer trading as a commercial airport.

“If and when a new owner can be found, the airport’s licence could be reinstated so long as we are satisfied the correct staff are in place, providing the necessary level of expertise and the condition of the runway and facilities were in good order.”

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