Manston Airport Airspace Change Proposal - Stage 3 Consultation

Overview

Overview

RiverOak Strategic Partners (RSP) plans to reopen Manston Airport as a dedicated air freight hub. Government consent for our plans was granted in August 2022, and work to prepare for operations is now underway.

Before the airport can reopen, new airspace and flight procedures must be designed and approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).  These designs set out how aircraft will safely approach and depart the airport, and how the airspace around Manston will be managed.

We have developed a series of design options for how this airspace could operate. This consultation gives you the opportunity to review those options, understand the potential effects, and share your views.

This consultation represents Stage 3 of the Civil Aviation Authority’s Airspace Change Process (CAP1616). At this stage, airports present detailed design options and assessments for public feedback, before submitting a revised proposal for final consideration. 

Why your views matter

About this consultation

We are seeking your views on the design options for the Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) that aircraft will use when arriving at and departing from Manston Airport.

These procedures use modern satellite-based navigation technology (GNSS) to create efficient routes that maintain safety while minimising environmental impacts wherever possible.

We want to understand how the proposed flight paths may affect you and your community.

Your feedback will help us refine the designs before submitting a final proposal to the CAA.

Our proposals

We are consulting on two design combinations for Manston Airport’s airspace:

• Preferred Option: Based on our assessments, this option offers the greatest environmental benefit overall, including reductions in forecast noise levels for most communities.
• Alternative Option: This option uses a different departure route and higher approach altitude but results in a slightly wider noise footprint.

Both options include new arrival and departure routes for each runway direction, alongside an Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ) and a Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) to ensure safety around the airport.

You can find full details of each option, including maps, assessments, and supporting information, in the consultation documents linked below.

• Consultation Document - The primary document setting out the background to the proposal, the options under consideration, and how to respond to the consultation.
• Full Options Appraisal - A detailed technical assessment of each option against CAA criteria, including airspace, environmental, and operational factors.
• Noise Model - Modelling data showing the predicted noise impacts of each option on communities and the surrounding area.
• Consultation Strategy - Sets out how the consultation has been designed and conducted, including who has been consulted, how, and why.
• Interactive Map of Proposals

How to respond to the consultation

You can share your views in one of the following ways:

• Online: Complete the Consultation Questionnaire by clicking the link below.
• By Post: Print and complete the Consultation Questionnaire and send to our free post address: FREEPOST 1616

The consultation runs from 16 March to 22 June 2026.

All responses must be received by 23:59 on 22 June 2026.

Consultation events

We will be holding a series of online and local drop-in events where you can view the proposals in person and speak with members of the project team.

Event details:

In person events:

• Wednesday 22 April, San Clu Hotel, Victoria Parade, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 8DT, 4PM-8PM
• Saturday 25 April, Christ Church Hall,47 William St, Herne Bay, CT6 5AG, 1PM-5PM

Online events:

• Tuesday 28 April - 6:30PM-7:30PM
• Wednesday 6 May - 6:30-7:30PM

Please contact us for details about the online events.