New Stansted boss puts rebuilding ties ahead of new runway
04.01.11
Stansted Airport's new boss Nick Barton has said that his role is to make the airport a world class facility while building relationships with its local community, the Cambridge News reports. The airport’s latest managing director believes that growth to 68 million passengers a year has been ruled out by the current Government – and the Labour opposition – co-operation rather than conflict is the way forward.
Unlike his two most recent predecessors, who were parachuted in to the post by BAA from outside the area, 44-year-old Mr Barton has been at the airport for six years, and has a thorough understanding of both sides of the expansion argument. He told the newspaper: ‘My role here is to make this airport be what it really can be – a world class airport within the constraints of a single runway. The aim is to serve our customers and serve our community.'
‘We need to rebuild the airport’s relationship with its community. Airports are controversial entities – wherever they are, they are controversial and it’s incumbent on me to balance the arguments. I know a lot of people have deeply held convictions about the airport, but I’m very passionate about this airport and can see the benefits it produces not just locally, but at a national level. Now the prospect of a second runway has receded, it gives us an opportunity to rebuild relationships.’
Currently around 19 million travellers pass through its terminal annually, but unlike its major London rivals, it has the capacity to expand to 35 million a year. While uncertainties remain over Stansted’s ownership – now the subject of a BAA appeal to the Supreme Court – Mr Barton is focused on expanding the 20 airlines that currently serve more than 140 destinations in 31 countries from Stansted.
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