• Aircraft tires are stacked up near the fence of the disused Manston airport. The fight to reopen Manston received a boost after UK transport minister John Hayes paved the way for a search and rescue helicopter service to return to the airport. Carl Court / Getty Images
    Aircraft tires are stacked up near the fence of the disused Manston airport. The fight to reopen Manston received a boost after UK transport minister John Hayes paved the way for a search and rescue helicopter service to return to the airport. Carl Court / Getty Images
  • Manston airport closed in May 2014 with the loss of 144 jobs and has since become a contentious issue. Carl Court / Getty Images
    Manston airport closed in May 2014 with the loss of 144 jobs and has since become a contentious issue. Carl Court / Getty Images
  • The origins of Manston airport stretch back to the First World War, and during the Second World War was heavily bombed during the Battle of Britain. Above, the airport's control tower. Carl Court / Getty Images
    The origins of Manston airport stretch back to the First World War, and during the Second World War was heavily bombed during the Battle of Britain. Above, the airport's control tower. Carl Court / Getty Images
  • A wall is partially covered in graffiti protesting the closure of Manston airport. Carl Court / Getty Images
    A wall is partially covered in graffiti protesting the closure of Manston airport. Carl Court / Getty Images
  • Manston airport closed in May 2014 with the loss of 144 jobs and has since become a contentious issue. Carl Court / Getty Images
    Manston airport closed in May 2014 with the loss of 144 jobs and has since become a contentious issue. Carl Court / Getty Images
  • Manston airport incurred losses of more than £100 million in its 16 years of private ownership and was losing £100,000 a week before it was closed in May 2014. Carl Court / Getty Images
    Manston airport incurred losses of more than £100 million in its 16 years of private ownership and was losing £100,000 a week before it was closed in May 2014. Carl Court / Getty Images
  • Above, a tattered flag with graffiti protesting the closure of Manston Airport. Carl Court / Getty Images
    Above, a tattered flag with graffiti protesting the closure of Manston Airport. Carl Court / Getty Images
  • A wall is partially covered in graffiti protesting the closure of Manston airport. Carl Court / Getty Images
    A wall is partially covered in graffiti protesting the closure of Manston airport. Carl Court / Getty Images
  • A disused aircraft loading vehicle is parked at Manston airport. Carl Court / Getty Images
    A disused aircraft loading vehicle is parked at Manston airport. Carl Court / Getty Images

Push to save Kent’s Manston airport — in pictures


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Efforts are underway to save Kent’s Manston airport, which closed in May 2014, with the UK government supporting a five-point plan including compulsory purchase of the site.