Speaking at a private dinner hosted by the Essex Chamber of Commerce in association with Stansted Airport, Mr O’Leary explained how easier website access, a second carry-on bag and allocated seating will help the airline achieve its target of carrying over 20 million passengers a year from the airport.
"As the UK’s biggest airline, Ryanair is working closely with our partners, Stansted Airport, to grow new routes and increase frequencies on existing routes as part of a 10 year growth agreement, under which Ryanair’s Stansted traffic will grow from 13 million to over 20 million. This will see Stansted’s traffic grow towards its targeted growth of over 35 million, creating over 35,000 jobs.
"Stansted’s April traffic is up over 10%, which proves that Ryanair’s low fares and recent customer experience improvements are working for the benefit of Ryanair’s customers, Stansted Airport and the Essex business community," said Michael O’Leary.
Mr O’Leary’s speech was welcomed by Stansted Airport’s Managing Director, Andrew Harrison, who said: "We were delighted that Michael accepted our invitation to address the members of the Essex Chambers of Commerce. He is one of the most influential, high profile executives in the airline industry and he was full of praise for the airport and keen to both share his plans for service improvements at the airline as well as listen to feedback and suggestions from the county’s business leaders.
"Ryanair is a very valued customer and its recent announcement to increase next winter’s schedules, including new destinations and increased frequencies on key routes, gives leisure and business passengers from Essex even more choice at great value and builds on the strength of Ryanair’s extensive network here at Stansted, their largest base in Europe. Ryanair is changing, Stansted is changing and the recent growth deal we signed with Ryanair is further evidence that we are succeeding in transforming Stansted under our new ownership."
Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce, said: "Stansted Airport have been patrons of ours for several years. I was delighted therefore when Michael O'Leary of Ryanair agreed to speak at this dinner to promote the benefits of the airport to Essex in particular and the UK in general.
"These are interesting times for aviation as we await the final outcome of the Davies Review but whatever happens we know that Stansted and Ryanair will go from strength to strength. The jobs that the airport creates both directly and indirectly are vital to our county and we look forward to working with Manchester airports Group and their users for many years to come."
____________________________________________