You can spot until your heart's content round the back of the runway. I'm not sure that a 'Spotters area' is high on MAG's or any UK airports agenda as I can't see it pulling in any revenue from the spotters with their packed lunches.

Don't forget MAG have provided a 'Runway Visitors Park' at Manchester, probably the best viewing park in the country. If the demand is there, I do not see why a similar facility could not be provided at Stansted, although I agree that it would not be high on the agenda.

you never know. MAG invest in working with the community and take a different view to the previous owners. they may see a spectators area as a benefit.

spotters
 

the council had granted planning permission many years back part of the increase to 35 mp the spootter area was going to be a mound by the hilton hotel , but the best area is arounf burton end near the ash pub

FRatSTN. The area you mention will not be used for that purpose. It has been tagged for a different purpose (or indeed two different reasons) as so if not available. An area for people to watch aircraft, for any reason, however would be a good idea at any airport.

I wonder if it makes money at Manchester? Parking at £3 hour brings in revenue and despite some people bringing packed lunches, the cafe seems to do good trade. However it is close to a big city, unlike Stansted, and has a certain pointy-nosed attraction in a hangar with restaurant popular for wedding receptions etc. And A380 passes twice a day. I think it does bring in a lot of goodwill to the airport.

Not sure who pays for exhibit maintenance though.

Re MAG it is a very simple formulae.

IF they suspect it can make money they will build one.

If they don't, they won't.

Manchester has a massive population on its doorstep but Stansted is surrounded by fields, plus all you have is procession of diminishing RYRs , would that keep interest going ?

I suspect not personally.

The AVP at Manchester is franchised out, the operators TAS pay for a licence which in turn is paid for by the hefty parking, restaurant licence and educational visits etc.

I do have another thought however if you have any aprons you could always turn it in to ..........................(deleted):eek:

Council to seek winding up order on ATS
 

From this weekend's Herts & Essex Observer -

UTTLESFORD District Council has agreed to write off more than £1m in business rates owed by a luxury company at Stansted Airport – but is pressing ahead with legal action aimed at winding the company up.

Eighteen Aviation Ltd, which trades as Aero Toy Store, defaulted on its 2012-13 liability of £1,155,066.48.

The council took recovery action and legal proceedings against the firm, which is the second largest business ratepayer in the district, providing VIP accommodation and garaging facilities for private jets and their owners at its 18-acre Diamond Hangar site.

But the local authority has been advised that as there is no prospect of recovering the debt, it is necessary to write it off. The decision was taken "reluctantly" at a meeting in Saffron Walden of the council's cabinet last night (Thursday).

UDC is continuing with legal action aimed at winding the company up to stop it trading and prevent further irrecoverable funds becoming due.

The council says that writing off the debt will not result in any direct financial implications for council tax payers or for the authority itself.

However, the firm’s failure to meet its financial obligations will result in less money being available to UDC, Essex County Council and Essex Fire Authority in 2013-14.

Stephen Joyce, the council’s assistant chief executive, said: “This is a massive loss to the public purse, but because the money is from 2012-13 it affects central Government funds rather than our own budget.

“What it does mean is that public services and Government spending will be affected. It will have an effect on Uttlesford, but not a significant one.

“The Government has a safety net scheme which ensures district councils do not lose a significant amount of money.

“The most we could lose is about £100,000, so it protects us from a large loss, but nevertheless it is still a loss to the taxpayer and that’s very disappointing.”

Mr Joyce added: “This is a genuinely unprecedented case – we’ve never had anything like this before and will be taking steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Cllr Robert Chambers, UDC’s portfolio holder for finance and administration, told Thursday’s cabinet meeting he intended to raise the case with the Government’s Department for Communities and Local Government.

Richard Elliott, an associate in the corporate department of west London law firm Davenport Lyons, which is acting for the business, said: “Eighteen Aviation is aware of the decision of Uttlesford District Council and is working with its advisers on the matter and is in touch with the council.”

UPDATE Council legal action to wind up Stansted aero firm over £1.15m debt | Uttlesford village headlines

AFS
 

No expense is being spared on passenger and crew safety. Most professional emergency service I have worked within in 24 years. :ok:

New Panthers join Stansted Airport's fire-fighting fleet - YouTube

BBC catches up on story........

BBC News - Eighteen Aviation at Stansted owes council £1.12m tax

STANSTED - 2
 

The Aero-Toys plan was never going to work and apparently isn't. They (BAA) should have bulldozed the diamond hangar when they had the chance!

Or moved it 30 miles to the West where it would soon be filled!!:}:}:}

Sorry Bagso but you have got this totally wrong. However you are not alone in thinking this.

Actually TAS ( The Aviation Society) do not run the AVP or RVP as its now known.

TAS hold the concession for "The Aviation Shop" and provide the Education and tour guides directly to MAG who operate the Concorde visitor centre, MAG also own and run the Runway visitor park. Car parking is provided by MAG car parks. The restaurant is another separate concession not connected to TAS.

TAS have no say or influence in setting the car park admission prices.

I hope that clears it up.

I do hope MAG do eventually provide a viewing area as the back fence isnt really ideal, no toilets, shops etc. But as already mentioned whatever MAG put money into has to make a return, sadly apart from special event days, Stansted has little to hold the enthusiasts attention.

Flybe selling LGW slots to Easyjet
 

With the news that Flybe have sold all of its LGW slots to Easyjet from Summer 14 will this mean a pull out of Easyjet from Stansted? looking at the Investor relations power point from Flybe they look to be expanding their Southampton base so not much chance of a move to Stansted.

Manchester Bound Pakistan Flight Escorted in to Stansted by Typhoon Jets: BBC News
 

RAF Typhoon jets have been launched to investigate an incident involving a civilian aircraft within UK airspace, the Ministry of Defence has said.......

Story here...... Manchester Bound Pakistan Flight Escorted in to Stansted by Typhoon Jets: BBC News | The Airport Informer

Ryanair winter 2013/14
 

Is Ryanair reaching some sort of agreement with MAG at Stansted? The winter schedule has been released on many routes now and there are some increased frequencies. Some of the most notable ones are:

Milan-Bergamo and Rome-Ciampino up to 4x a day.
Dublin is 53x per week (7x Tue-Thu, 8x Fri-Mon).
Budapest and Bremen are both up to 16x per week.
Pisa is 13x per week, even Thessaloniki is 4x for the winter season!

Madrid and Barcelona are both twice daily (I'm sure they have only gone once on some days previously)
Canary Islands have 13 flights a week which I think may also be up? (2 FUE, 2 LPA, 4 ACE & 5 TFS).

Cork also up from 14PW to 17PW. (Extra flights on Fri, Sun)

Cork is 16x per week and I thought it has been for a while, could be wrong though.

It sure has been but has been reduced to 14PW the last two winters.