I think Oradea is the only one Wizzair doesn't serve from Luton, wouldn't be surprised if increases occur to existing route frequencies if they can find the slots.

Do Wizz really need to increase frequencies on nearby routes given FR dropping STN-OMR ? With a near-monopoly on flights between London and the Hungary-Romania border region, wouldn't Wizz want to try to raise yields instead ? The only competition is on London-Cluj where FR fly 4x weekly in S23 while Wizz are 17x weekly. I can't see Easyjet, Tarom or many other airlines being interested in flying between London and this region

As I said finding slots st Luton would be an issue, with Blue Air gone then upscaling to 321s is probably the best which will happen.

There appears to be a run of mainline TK to IST the last couple and next few days, also Tunisair have returned and there is a Wideroe today. Is this stuff that is being turned away from LHR?

I believe the extra THY flights are to meet holiday demand and not related to LHR

Often over the Christmas period there are extra flights added. Pegasus and AnadoluJet/Turkish always add extra capacity and flights. Pegasus have been operating an extra flight on the A21N for around a week. Difference this time is Turkish have added flights in their own metal and to IST and not SAW.

Not surprised Tunis have added a few. Believe they have struggled to all their previous slots back at LHR. But are still operating in to LHR currently same as Widroe which I’d guess can’t get some additional slots at LHR. In the past often been charters from Scandinavia bring people in on Christmas shopping trips in London.

Sick Man of ‘London’ Airports
 

Am I the only one who struggles to understand MAG’s business model for Stansted?

I had the unfortunate experiance of flying out of here a couple of weeks ago for the first since Covid and I was shocked at the state of the place and how down hill it’s become, coupled with staffing, it’s clear the place is mismanaged and an embarrassing entry point to the UK (if there are MAG terminal leadership reading this, can you replace screaming staff with appropriate, clear easy to read signage at the UK border entrances).

I see they’ve released a press release regarding how passenger numbers are near pre-pandemic levels but this is driven solely by Ryanair. Is their long term plan is to have no investment and just hope of continued FR expansion? This lack of diversification is surely a risk?

I cannot see any airline wanting to come here, even if it makes sense financially, the place is an awful run-down passenger experience and with most European low-cost airlines established at LGW/LTN. Who are STN targeting? Full service? Long haul? I just can’t see how this compatible with the current state of the place.

I’ve flown out of STN a few times this year across different days and times and have been very impressed. Perhaps my expectations are set too low, but had worse at other London airports in that time and certainly not had any of the well documented troubles seen at other airports. Had one arrival which could have been better back in March, but my fears for the summer from that experience thankfully didn’t come to pass.

Pretty sure there is/was a plan to build a second "terminal" structure to separate departures and arrivals to help accommodate forecast (& permitted) growth. As for a strategy, I got the impression that along with FR & LS it was the strategy to pick up some lo-co and full service airlines that were struggling to pick up LGW & LHR slots or wanted to spread their offering north of the Thames. I don't think STN wanted to put all their eggs in the FR (or lo-co) basket, no matter if those areas are often the quickest to rebound after an enforced dip.

I see Emirates are going double daily at BHX with an additional A380 complementing the 777, nothing seen about STN, is demand not as good from Essex with x6 A380 LHR and x3 LGW, an obvious flight number gap at LGW as well in EK14?
Not having a dig, perhaps yields are good at STN so no need to add just yet.

BHX was double daily for years, as travel normalises it's not a suprise the more mature markets get back up to speed first.

Runway resurfacing starts tonight:

Runway to be fully resurfaced (stanstedairport.com)

Fayair
 

Fayair has been purchased by Harrods. Nearly 10 years since its hangar doors were opened.

Down to 4 FBOs then, Harrods, Inflite, Universal & Diamond?

And which umbrella do London Jet Centre come under ?

London Jet Centre operate from the Diamond Hanger.

So there are 5 FBO's at STN. Bit overkill surely ??

I didn’t think Stansted was a big player in the biz jet market. So is it?

A second maybe even third choice airport for most especially the small to mid jets. The larger jets (wide-bodied) will try LHR but always end up at STN.

There is lots of development on the Northside (non aviation related) and strangling all the current occupants so for HA to expand their footprint is good business.

Whenever I visit STN there are plenty of Biz around but looking at the spotter logs many have been there a while. Often Biz arrive at LTN then reposition out to STN if not in use due to space issues at LTN during busy times.
The Diamond Hangar is a strange one with some dubious Nigerian connections but alot of subcontractor maintenance work is done there.
Do Storm AirX have their own offices or is this leased as well?
Universal have a good worldwide respected network of FBOs and Harrods have deep pocket Qatar owners. Inflite maybe the weakest FBO now, I wonder how long they will last?