EASYJET and the owners of Stansted Airport have announced a new long-term deal that would see the low-cost airline double its passenger numbers over the next five years from the Uttlesford hub.
Manchester Airports Group, which acquired the airport in February, confirmed the airline will allow it to boost its yearly passenger numbers from 2.8 million to six million.
easyjet currently operates eight aircraft on up to 27 routes from Stansted, including new services to Bulgaria, Morocco and Egypt.
Charlie Cornish, chief executive of MAG, described he new framework as “a positive first step”.
He added: “London Stansted will flourish under MAG’s ownership as we actively market the airport, the region and its strong connectivity, including direct rail access to both London and Cambridge, to airlines and introduce lots more airline competition into the London market.”
The airline said it supports MAG’s plans to make Stansted the “best airport in London”.
Paul Simmons, UK director for easyJet, said: “We are pleased to have reached a new deal with the new owners of Stansted which gives us the ability to grow at the London airport. We look forward to working with MAG over the coming months and years.”
The airport currently handles about 18 million passengers a year but was given permission from Uttlesford District Council in 2008 to increase its yearly capacity from 25 million passengers to 35 million.
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