Why have Ryanair been announcing new Stansted Rural desinations after stating that their London expansion would be Luton based?
LGS6753 - this may be because RYR and BAA/STAL at STN are rumoured to have settled their differences over fuel levy charges with (according to one report) BAA/STAL reducing its fuel levy from 0.68 pence/litre to 0.41 pence/litre and RYR having paid the amount that BAA/STAL alleged was owing since earlier this year.
However, RYR was never expected to base further aircraft at Luton until (earliest) July 2005 and (more likely) September this year in order to open additional services this winter. But if MOL has 'kissed and made up' with STAL, who knows??
Stands 60 and 61 are not available for self-manoeuvring until the 'Safegate' parking & docking guidance systems are fully operational and the relevant handling agents' ground staff fully trained. The timescale is probably over the next eight weeks.
LTNman's comments regarding completion of the terminal expansion programme seem pretty accurate given the amount of work still to be completed. Six weeks is perhaps, a more realistic timescale.
I have to agree that notwithstanding the terminal developments, the new (allegedly cash-rich) operating company at Luton, and the increasing scarcity of peak-time slots at STN and LGW, it is surprising that Luton's management still hasn't managed a real coup with any major new operator whether charter/IT or lo-co. But Luton still has to contend with its # 1 competitor continuing to use cross-subsidies to undercut charges, and with an albatros in the shape of a totally uncommercial (from the Airport's perspective) concession agreement with Luton Borough Council.
Despite these handicaps, Luton's annual passengers are now above 8m heading towards 9m, figures released by the CAA for April 2005 show a 28% year-on-year rise, corporate flights are up around 25% year-on-year, and the Airport recently had its busiest day ever with 371 movements recorded (remember that around 98% of Luton's daily movements are air transport and corporate aircraft flights).
Maybe things will change after the terminal and stand developments have been completed later this Summer.
If not - expect another 'night of the long knives' shake up of Luton's management!!
