AA/ Maxjet/ EOS
Hi General_Kirby
American started their STN_JFK flights October 2007, they were due to launch a second daily flight in April 08 but that got delayed to August 08 but in the end never materialised.
MaxJet ceased on Christmas Eve 2007
EOS was beginning to ramp up their operations and announced additional frequencies and a new route to Dubai before they ceased ops in April 2008.
That left Silverjet as the only startup premium airline albeit at Luton.
American pulled it's Stansted services in July 2008. Although there was probably a good deal of truth in the reasons for them consolidating at LHR, namely that AA at the time was losing money, the approach at STN was to use their muscle to kill two startups.
Seems that the thought of STN having a well known carrier meant they were eager to have AA even though operating the same routes to New York (although EOS went to Newark). Somewhat coincidental that as soon as Max and EOS ceased, AA moved out. STN from 3 to 0.
AA's history with STN is pretty poor considering they had the route authorities for ORD but pulled that route in 1992/3 can't remember exactly but I did use that service even have a couple of route maps from the captain somewhere!
Shame sometimes that airports don't nurture startups a bit more or help protect their niche. Although AA was operating a 2 class service it had more capacity in a 767-300 and much deeper pockets to deflate prices..
Anyways hope that helped.