KENT International Airport is to get its first
commercial services with the launch of 27 routes from Irish carrier EUjet.
The carrier will stagger the launch of services from
the airport, previously known as Manston, between September 1 and December 18.
The launch comes amid rumours the Irish carrier was
set to pull out of the deal, signed in February, to fly from the airport.
Airport owner PlaneStation invested £2 million for a
30% stake in EUjet last week, sparking speculation the carrier was having
trouble finding the funding to carry out its ambitious growth plans.
The carrier was also scheduled to announce route plans
earlier this month, but delayed the decision.
An EUjet spokeswoman said: “There was no problem with
funding, we delayed the launch because of negotiations with overseas airports.”
Among the routes being launched are Amsterdam, Malaga,
Madrid, Edinburgh, Copenhagen, Palma, Manchester, Prague, Toulouse and Turin.
The airline expects to attract 500,000 passengers in its first year, rising to
two million after three years.
It is headed by former
Ryanair chief executive PJ McGoldrick.