Stansted Airport Chamber of Commerce

BAA Chief Executive, Colin Matthews speaking at Stansted’s Summer Reception

More than 200 invited guests ranging from regional business leaders to representatives from councils and airlines gathered at Duxford Imperial War Museum near Cambridge to gain an update on Stansted’s ambitions and challenges for the future.

“This is an ideal opportunity to share with you two of the top priorities I have set for BAA,” said Mr Matthews. 

 “First for us, is to achieve consistent high standards of customer service – and that means to our airline customers as well as travellers.  I am determined to deliver continuous improvement in standards across all service areas.  And that applies to Stansted as much as it does to Heathrow and elsewhere. 

“Second, is to demonstrate my commitment and that of BAA to the delivery of additional runway capacity to meet future demand for UK air travel – and that includes a second runway at Stansted.  

“Like everyone else at the moment, we are facing up to a number of business challenges as the effects of the economic uncertainty works through the economy.  Longer term economic growth is predicted beyond the challenges of the current cyclical downturn – and with it will come continued growth in demand for air travel. Stansted is at the forefront to meet that challenge.  

“The project will bring significant benefits to the East of England and to the UK as a whole, and over 13,000 new jobs will be created.  The development will support plans for regional development, as well as underpin the investment planned for road and rail infrastructure in the region. 

“In environment terms, I am acutely aware that our plans have attracted widespread public debate – and quite right too.  But our focus, as always, is on achieving sustainable growth, and as our plans have taken shape during years of extensive consultation we have refined our proposals so that in terms of environmental credentials, we are at the leading edge of what it is possible to do.”