Stansted confident of its place at the heart of the regional economy
(press release issued 11 November 2004 by BAA)
Stansted Airport welcomed the news that both the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) and the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) acknowledge that airports and aviation play an important role in supporting economic activity within the region.
The airport's impressive rate of growth, together with development plans for the future, places Stansted firmly at the heart of the UK aviation industry and as the European market leader in the low-cost airline sector. BAA is confident that the leading and significant role Stansted fulfils within the Eastern region, and the wider UK economy will be further bolstered as progress is made with expansion.
Stansted Airport Managing Director, Terry Morgan commented:
"More and more people are coming to recognise the benefits a world-class airport brings to local and regional business. We are very pleased that the Regional Assembly supports maximum use of Stansted's existing single runway. As we prepare to apply for growth beyond our current limit of around 25 million passengers per annum, we will continue with the detailed environmental assessment impact work that will be essential in supporting any planning application.
"The continued buoyancy and development of the East of England regional economy is vital not only to the future well being of the region but also in providing a crucial contribution to the national economy.
"We are naturally disappointed that the Assembly did not take account of government policy on a second runway in line with the White Paper, The Future of Air Transport.
"We look forward to taking an active and constructive part in the public consultation process on the Regional Plan that will begin shortly."
Notes to editor:
Passenger numbers up 14.2% to 20.7 million – 12 months ending October 04
135 destinations in 29 countries
Cargo up 15.2% to 225,867 tonnes – 12 months ending October 04
Transported cargo valued at £7.6 billion per annum
Stansted profits for six months April-September 04 up 29% on same period last year
3.3 million business passengers – 12 months to June 04
Nearly 75% of passengers begin or end their journey in London or the East of England
Stansted's annual benefit to the local and regional economy is in excess of £400 million per annum
Published in December 2003
Identified Stansted as the location for the first new runway in the South East for nearly 50 years
Stansted expects to apply for permission to build second runway during the second half of 2006.
Impact Studies
The results of environmental impact studies will form part of the formal planning application for a second runway. Subjects will include road and rail access, air quality, noise, airspace management, ecology, public health, economic effects, energy and waste management.
Growth and Development timetable
Summer 2005 Application to grow beyond 25mppa
2006 Application for a second runway
2007/8 Public Inquiry
2012 Second runway operational (White Paper timetable)
Press release taken from the BAA Newsdesk.
Related links:
"East of England Regional Assembly Suspends its Endorsement of the East of England Plan due to Lack of Central Government Funding" - press release issued 10 December 04 by EERA
Draft Regional Plan published December 2004 by EERA(Acrobat ® format 2.8 MB)
"Regional Assembly approves East of England Plan" - press release issued 5 November 2004 by EERA (MS Word® format 56 KB)
East of England Regional Assembly - background to the draft plan
BAA's "Scoping Report" Consultation on studies proposed to consider the environmental effects of further growth of Stansted (within its existing single runway capacity) - July 2004 (Acrobat ® format, 3.7 MB)
"Stansted confirms plans to submit planning application to grow beyond 25 million" press release issued 28 April 2004 by BAA
East of England Regional Assembly
East of England Development Agency
SSE Media Centre
BAA Newsdesk
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