News

Kent International Airport (KIA) at Manston, which was bought out of receivership by Infratil in 2005, has been snubbed by British Airways.

It was hoped British Airways World Cargo would move its hub from Stansted, switching its long-haul operations to the airport but the Manston management disclosed the deal had fallen through.

New Zealand CEO of KIA Matt Clarke said he was disappointed.

"Like any business that bids for a new contract and is unsuccessful, we are obviously disappointed with this news."

Mr Clarke was still upbeat about attracting more airlines and said the fact that it was considered alongside Stansted showed how far its reputation in the industry had progressed.