Originally Posted by
STN406
Same would have been said about Emirates some years ago.Singapore already operate from LHR and can connect onto United’s IAH flights. The idea was it would get good feed from the tech and pharmaceuticals markets in the region particularly in Cambridge.
With Air India the ATQ route was a good choice at STN due to the links to Punjabi diaspora in the region. BOM was initially started as at the time Air India was struggling to gain additional slots at LHR. But was rumoured to start despite gain the nessary slots at LHR at the time.
RE. Singapore Airlines, I'd be intrigued to hear more about this, if there is more info?. As you rightly highlight, a IAH-STN-SIN service could well benefit from all the tech and pharmaceutical firms in the STN catchment area. Plus, with MAG being the owner of both MAN and STN, perhaps they have a chance of persuading SQ to shift the service from MAN to STN. Having another UK gateway for SQ, similar to how CX did with LHR and LGW pre-pandemic wouldn't hurt either, and would only serve to benefit passengers living within the STN catchment area. The A350 has been phenomenal in allowing airlines such as SQ and CX to open up new, 'thinner' long-haul routes, so perhaps STN could be one of those?
RE. Air India, it would be nice to see them back at Stansted. With LHR plagued with numerous capacity restrictions and staff shortages at present, perhaps they'd be willing to reinstate their ATQ flight from here? Having said that, LGW has lost a significant chunk of its long-haul as a result of Covid, so I'm conscious they'd be competing hard against STN to win Air India over.