Manston's owners hope to expand its passenger flight business

Sandy Ezekiel, leader of Thanet District Council, turned over the first sod for the new building on Friday.

Warehousing is also to be built on the site.

The move is expected to expand the airport's freight handling and passenger business - and will create at least 30 new jobs.

Geoff Lansbury, Manston's chief executive, said the border inspection post, expected to be fully operational this summer, would be one of the biggest facilities of its type in the UK.

Once the border post is up and running it will let the world know that Manston Airport is up and open for business Sandy Ezekiel, leader of Thanet District Council

He said: "We anticipate that this will be a stepping stone to much more business and this is in turn will create further jobs."

Mr Lansbury said the inspection post would mean cargo brought in would be of improved safety and quality for consumers.

He said: "Once the border post is up and running it will let the world know that Manston Airport is up and open for business.

"We can look forward to perhaps more quality airlines coming in with more modern planes so I'm very, very excited at what happened today."

Paul Tipple, chairman of the East Kent Triangle Area Strategic Partnership, said the airport's expansion could mean wider business development and faster rail links for the area.

Thanet District Council has said maximum use should be made out of the airport, a former RAF airfield, over the next 30 years.