With the results of the EU referendum causing more delays in south east airport expansion, Stansted Airport owner Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has called for the government to make better use of current airport space and let the market determine where and when future expansion should take place. This week the Ipswich Star has reported on the Stansted Airport announcement that might well fill the gap left by more expansion indecision.
Stansted Airport to Benefit from Brexit Indecision?
With the decision surrounding the possible expansion of Heathrow airport now thrown into disarray following the EU referendum, a possible Brexit could now have far-reaching consequences for south east airport expansion as a whole. An announcement was due to be made about Heathrow expansion on July 7th, but with delays now inevitable, Stansted Airport owner MAG has stepped into the fray and announced that government should let the market decide where south east airport expansion should take place. With smaller London airports now possibly in contention for development, Stansted Airport could start to build on this argument and put forward the case for Stansted Airport expansion in the future.
A Foot in the Door
With the Transport Secretary stating “Clearly any announcement on airport capacity would have to be made when the House is in session, and being realistic, given recent events, I cannot foresee an announcement until at least October”, this could give smaller transport hubs such as Stansted Airport a chance to stake their claim on a possible alternative. As well as the scope for further runway expansion, this could also mean more car parking at Stansted Airport to cope with a possible increase in passenger numbers if this development were come to pass.
Benefits for Stansted Airport Users
As well as driving more business in the local area, Stansted Airport customers and travellers could see other benefits. Any expansion that might take place at Stansted Airport could mean a greater choice of flight routes and travel destinations, a wider range of airlines and more car parking at Stansted Airport. This greater choice on many different levels could also mean lower prices for Stansted Airport passengers as with more Stansted car parks and flights comes more competition.