Report by John Lavabre
THE STANSTED Express rail service is to become part of the
Heathrow and Gatwick Express marketing alliance by the end of the year.
By joining the Airport Express alliance, it is hoped agents and
operators will find it easier to do business with all three services.
Airport Express chairman and managing director of Gatwick
Express Peter Cotton said: “Before the end of the year Airport Express will be
responsible for sales, PR and marketing. As far as the trade is concerned there
will be the one point of contact for the three London airport rail links from
January.”
Cotton said agreements had been made with JMC and Advantage
Travel and said a further deal was being discussed with Virgin Atlantic,
although he was unable to reveal any details.
In time consumers will benefit as they will be able to buy
their rail ticket at the same time as their holiday, making travel to their
chosen airport easier.
Cotton said 100 million people use the three airports and the
number is set to grow. He added that Airport Express was speculatively looking
at moving into transport networks to airports in Europe, although this is a
long-term aim.