EasyJet signs deal to double its annual number of passengers at Stansted
EasyJet is planning to increase its annual passenger numbers at Stansted from 2.8m now to 6m per year, over the next 5 years. EasyJet has announced a framework agreement with MAG, which now owns Stansted. Stansted wants to be seen as a key part of the current debate on South East’s airport capacity and hopes that EasyJet will help with that – and halt its steady decline. EasyJet currently flies 8 planes on up to 27 routes from Stansted. It has around twice as many planes and routes at Luton and about 6 times as many at Gatwick as at Stansted. Stansted had around 18 million passengers in 2012, which is about 26.5% lower than its peak in 2007. It could cater for 35 million per year, on its one runway. EasyJet has also struck similar deals with Edinburgh and Gatwick airports since they were sold off by BAA.
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EasyJet signs deal for major expansion at Stansted
13.6.2013 (TravelMole)
EasyJet has signed a deal with the new owners of Stansted Airport allowing it to more than double its passenger numbers there to 6 million in the next five years.
M.A.G, which acquired the London airport three months ago, said the new “long-term growth framework” would help “make Stansted the best airport in London”.
EasyJet currently has 2.8 million passengers at Stansted, operating eight aircraft on up to 27 routes from Stansted, including new flights to Bulgaria, Morocco and Egypt.
M.A.G chief executive Charlie Cornish said: “We are delighted that easyJet has chosen Stansted. We’re working hard with existing and prospective airlines to drive passenger growth at Stansted so today’s announcement by easyJet on the new framework for growth is a positive first step.
“London Stansted will flourish under M.A.G’s ownership as we actively market the airport, the region and its strong connectivity, including direct rail access to both London and Cambridge, to airlines and introduce lots more airline competition into the London market.
“The quality of our offer is compelling and we strongly believe that London Stansted has a key role to play in any debate on South East capacity and today’s positive announcement by easyJet confirms that.”
But it is not certain that easyJet will take advantage of the deal’s full potential, as it has also struck similar deals with Edinburgh and Gatwick airports since they were sold off by airports operator BAA.
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The Guardian says:
EasyJet deal at Stansted could halt decline
The deal will be seen as significant as a potential vote of confidence in the airport, which has long been lambasted – most notably by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary – for perceived high charges.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/jun/13/easyjet-stansted-airport-essex
The easyJet deal will mean progressively lower charges as passenger volume rises but is understood to be only one option for the airline as it considers where to deploy its aircraft in the coming years.
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easyJet agrees deal with new Stansted owner
easyJet is planning to increase its annual passenger numbers at Stansted Airport from 2.8m currently to 6m over the next five years.
The airline has announced a framework agreement for the growth alongside Stansted’s new owner, M.A.G, which took over the airport in late February.
Charlie Cornish, chief executive of M.A.G, said: ‘We are delighted that easyJet has chosen Stansted. We’re working hard with existing and prospective airlines to drive passenger growth at Stansted so today’s announcement by easyJet on the new framework for growth is a positive first step.
‘London Stansted will flourish under M.A.G’s ownership as we actively market the airport, the region and its strong connectivity, including direct rail access to both London and Cambridge, to airlines and introduce lots more airline competition into the London market.
‘The quality of our offer is compelling and we strongly believe that London Stansted has a key role to play in any debate on South East capacity and today’s positive announcement by easyJet confirms that.’
Paul Simmons, UK director for easyJet, added: ‘We are pleased to have reached a new deal with the new owners of Stansted which gives us the ability to grow at the London airport. We look forward to working with M.A.G over the coming months and years.’
easyJet currently flies eight aircraft on up to 27 routes from Stansted, making its operation at the airport roughly half the size of its Luton base and a sixth of that at Gatwick.
Stansted is the UK’s fourth biggest airport, handling around 18m passengers a year, but with approval to serve 35m annually.
According to figures from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Stansted’s traffic has fallen by 26.5% since 2007.
http://www.e-tid.com/easyjet-agrees-deal-with-new-stansted-owner/80567/
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Earlier
easyJet announces three new routes from Stansted
October 29, 2012
Written by: Oonagh Shiel
Budget airline easyJet has revealed that it will be launching three new longer routes from Stansted Airport in 2013.
The airline will be flying year-round to Marrakech three times a week on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday with the inaugural flight taking off on February 15 2013.
This will be followed by a new route to Bulgaria’s capital Sofia, operating twice a week on a Tuesday and Saturday, with the first flight due to depart on February 16 2013.
The final route to Sharm el Sheikh, which will also be year-round, will fly twice a week on a Thursday and Sunday, with the first flight taking off on February 17 2013. Flights on the new routes will go on sale through easyJet’s website on November 1.
“easyJet is committed to making travel easy and affordable for all and each season we decide where to add new flights based on the places our customers tell us they most want to visit, so I’m sure these three new summer sun destinations are going to be a huge hit with holidaymakers,” said Hugh Aitken, easyJet’s UK Commercial Manager.
“Currently, easyJet operates two mid-haul routes from Stansted to Bodrum and Dalaman so today’s announcement shows a real commitment to offering more varied destinations further afield, and the best value for our passengers.”
The airline’s 2013 summer schedule from Stansted Airport now features 1.7 million seats on 10,900 flights to 27 routes across Europe and North Africa.
The low-cost airline has recently been awarded with a licence to fly to Moscow, and will launch the service in spring 2013.
It will operate an Airbus A320 on two services per day between London Gatwick and Moscow Domodedovo airport.
Each aircraft will have 180 seats and easyJet expects to fly over 230,000 passengers in its first year of operations.
The four-hour flights will depart London at 7am and 2pm each day, departing Moscow at 2:40pm and 9:40pm, and start from as little as £125 return.
http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/news/easyjet-announces-three-new-routes-from-stansted/
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