Stansted airport owner admits it could be run for £5m less - Telegraph
Or maybe MAG are just making the cost savings that BAA could have done years ago?
In terms of profits, BAA had always had the strategy to pass on all the costs of operating/running an airport and funding huge infrastructural developments to the airlines through raising landing fees and airport costs, even if that does send business away. They get away with this more at Heathrow as airlines operating there are never going to want to move away, because it's the hub and obtaining slots are very valuable there due to the lack of them. All that happens is that those airlines then just pass the higher costs onto the passenger! In my opinion that's an awful way to do business!
MAG have taken the sustainable option. They have invested a reasonable amount, with other funding from elsewhere to improve terminal facilities and agree reasonable costs with airlines, adding much more value to the airport through effectively offering better facilities and at a lower cost (where the airlines can then REDUCE costs for passengers, so in this respect, making it cheaper for people to fly from there!)
The strategy is that MAG can now encourage MORE PEOPLE to spend MORE MONEY in those facilities invested in, boosting profits through retail as well as existing facilities like car parking, drop off charges etc. through the EXTRA passenger demand. It will not necessarily be through "Ryanair style" charges like paying to use a trolley, or a toilet!