New Airlines 2016
Article from Twitter
Stansted Airport is to sign a full-service airline in 2016, its owner said, as London's runway capacity squeeze pushes traditional carriers towards the British capital's third busiest hub and the UK home of budget operator Ryanair.
In London, traditional airlines such as British Airways have concentrated on the country's busiest airport Heathrow. But Heathrow is full, and awaiting permission to build a new runway which won't be ready until 2025 at the earliest.
Passenger demand for travel to and from London continues to rise, however, putting Stansted, primarily a base for low-cost and charter airlines, on track to announce a deal with a full-service or legacy carrier, according to its owner Manchester Airports Group (MAG).
MAG chief executive Charlie Cornish said that Stansted, about 40 miles (65 km) northeast of London, was in "deep discussions" with legacy airlines. "We are talking to a whole host of legacy carriers," he said in an interview on Thursday.
"I think as we hit 2016 we'll be able to confirm that we've secured some full-service carriers."
Cornish said he expected long-haul destinations to include Middle East hubs and U.S. cities, adding that legacy carriers were also interested in launching short-haul destinations from Stansted.