STANSTED AIRPORT HAS been hit hard by low-cost airlines taking their business to other airports, BAA's latest figures confirm.
The number of air transport movements at the airport fell by 11.7 per cent in November, compared with the same month in 2009, while passenger numbers fell by 7.6 per cent year-on-year.
A BAA statement confirmed, "a reduction in low-cost airline capacity was the main factor behind the drop". The airport operator said the recovery in leisure traffic in particular remained "subdued", partly because airlines are "relocating to foreign bases".
Ryanair cut its capacity at the airport by 17 per cent this winter, resulting in 140 fewer flights. It has moved the aircraft that were at Stansted to other European bases outside the UK. Easyjet, however, increased its capacity at Stansted by 4.5 per cent in November, compared to the same month in 2009.