London Ashford Airport at Lydd has ambitious plans to embark on a major improvement programme which will transform it into a modern regional airport capable of handling up to two million passengers a year by 2014.

However, a vociferous and well-funded protest group is seeking to foil the redevelopment through demonstrations, letters to the press and lobbying politicians.

LAA management was concerned that many of the fears raised by the protesters were unwarranted, unjustified and sometimes untrue and consulted Edwards Harvey about how to make sure their side of the argument was represented fairly in the media.

We have worked with LAA to provide a robust response, focusing on the benefits of the development, particularly in terms of job and wealth creation in an economically-deprived region of Kent.

Working hard to be well-informed on all aspects of commercial aviation, we have been able to refute criticisms from several angles by drawing on detailed information, issuing clear and dignified responses and not allowing the LAA management’s image to be tarnished by unseemly exchanges.

While there is a strong “reactive” element to Edwards Harvey’s PR programme, the agency also liaises closely with airport managers to deliver positive stories to local news and aviation trade media We have also devised a “hearts and minds” campaign, emphasising the complete openness and transparency of the plans, comprising a series of press releases, familiarisation trips for key journalists, exclusive interviews and public presentations.

Our staff have also cultivated strong relationships with the local TV, radio and newspapers, ensuring that stories generated by protest movement activities now receive balanced coverage.