Executives have been playing a waiting game to see whether a definitive decision on its G1 expansion proposals was forthcoming. This is expected to give the green light for Stansted to scale up to new record highs in passenger numbers.

Regardless of that outcome, BAA will submit its G2 second runway plans and recent indications from the Government suggest that the application will be welcomed with open arms.

Timewise, we expect the second runway proposals to officially go forward near the end of February, possibly the beginning of March at the latest. BAA’s Spanish owner, Ferrovial, says it is committed to funding the airport’s ambitious growth proposals.

Stansted management are meanwhile progressing talks with operators in emerging markets such as China and India to bring direct services into the airport, which is superbly located strategically – midway between Europe’s financial capital of London and the hi-tech capital of Europe in Cambridge.

Business traffic between Stansted and the US is already flowing at record levels with eos and American Airlines forging ahead with services.

Now Stansted is about to open up Africa – as reported exclusively by Business Weekly last June.

A new low-cost airline flying between Stansted and Cape Town could be launched later this year; Redair is the creation of South African aviation entrepreneur, Andy Cluver, who currently operates a helicopter service for visitors wanting to fly over Table Mountain.

Flights to Cape Town will be sold from £142 one-way, excluding tax. The new carrier plans to offer five return flights a week from Stansted to Cape Town.
 
Additionally, it will offer services between Cape Town and Barcelona and Malaga.

Cluver is confident that a new low-cost alternative to the major airlines will prove a success in South Africa. “Our tickets will be selling from £142 for a one-way flight, but if you want frills they will be available at an extra cost,” he said.

According to UK Trade & Investment, the UK is South Africa’s major trading and investment partner and South Africa is the UK’s 22nd largest overseas market with exports totalling £3.2bn in 2005.

The UK is also South Africa’s second most popular foreign destination – long or short haul – behind Botswana.