Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

American Airlines is back at Stansted after a 13 year absence

The world’s largest airline is targeting London’s red hot financial services clusters in the Square Mile and Canary Wharf as a response to what it says is demand from key corporate customers and if it feels it can improve its service by engaging in relevant political debate, it will.

Stansted’s plans for a new runway and expanded capacity within the existing facility have meant it is no stranger to fierce political exchanges whose volume is only likely to rise further as more new airlines arrive and the number of routes continue to increase.

American is the first airline to offer economy between New York and Stansted since 2001 when the 9/11 attacks in New York spelt the end of Continental Airlines’ offering. 

American has begun with a single daily morning flight to JFK airport, but that should become two with a daily afternoon route planned to begin next April.

“We often participate with our voice in political debates that can enhance our offering and are happy to participate in political debate,” said Craig Kreeger, American’s senior VP – International.

“It is the voice of business travel that got us interested here again as we heard from a number of our key corporate customers that we should look at Stansted.”
Kreeger said the appeal of Stansted had grown significantly since American’s last venture ended there in 1994. “It is an important new route,” said Kreeger.

“Last time Stansted was the right place, but not the right time. A lot has changed since then – the growth in airport use by the business community and the importance of the airport.

“We flew to Chicago last time, but that was before the growth of Ryanair and easyJet. Stansted had not been community validated, but it is now a popular airport for London.”

American is using a 221-seat Boeing 767-300 aircraft, split 30 business class and 191 economy. Kreeger not only expects some business travellers to combine the Stansted service with Heathrow, but also with other transport within the UK.

“A number of employees who work in the City live nearer Heathrow, so they can now leave in one airport and arrive in the other. I also think we’re going to carry a lot of coach (economy) travel. London Stansted expects self-hubbing, where customers will find low-cost ways of getting from A to B and using our coach ability.
“There’s a certain amount in the Cambridge business sector that we could serve too, really all of the East of England.”