Easyjet has struck a deal with Stansted to more than double its passenger numbers at the Essex airport to six million, it was announced today.
The budget carrier and Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which owns the airport, hope the move will “facilitate an increase in the number of business travellers using Stansted”.
The agreement will allow Easyjet to increase passenger numbers from its current 2.8 million a year to an annual six million over the next five years.
Paul Simmons, UK director for Easyjet, said: “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.”
The move will be seen as a challenge to Easyjet’s chief competitor Ryanair, which is the biggest operator at Stansted but has been cutting capacity due to a long-running row over fees charged by the airport’s former owner BAA (see online news, February 28).
Easyjet currently operates eight aircraft on up to 27 routes from Stansted, including new services to Bulgaria, Morocco and Egypt.
MAG 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.”
For more information, visit stanstedairport.com and easyjet.com.
Graham Smith
