STANSTED has unveiled plans to provide its first off-airport check-in facilities as part of plans to cope with its rapid growth.
The proposals are aimed at shrugging off the airport’s image as being inconveniently situated and too far from London.
Next year Stansted’s owner, BAA, has planned for airline check-in desks at London’s Liverpool Street station. These will be complemented by flight information boards at stations.
The desks will provide full baggage check-in at Liverpool Street, giving passengers time to go in to London before travelling out to the airport on the Stansted Express train service.
BAA, in partnership with major airlines, already offers check-in at Paddington station for Heathrow and Victoria station for Gatwick.
The check-in plan was revealed as the airport set out its agenda for dealing with increased growth next year.
The proposals also include greater use of public transport by passengers and staff, an improved airport coach station and a comprehensive customer survey by the Civil Aviation Authority to use to improve service.
The moves come as Stansted prepares to handle close to its capacity of 8m passengers. The airport has already begun work on the expansion of its existing terminal and plans two extra satellite terminals.
Construction work begins during 2000 which will support 15m capacity by 2007.
Annual take-offs and landings will be increased to 185,000 from 120,000 during this period.
The huge growth has come from the low-cost sector with Ryanair, Go and Buzz all announcing expansion at the airport during 2000. Major scheduled carriers Lufthansa, Swissair and SAS are also expected to build up their flights.
n BAA has set up an on-line booking service for airline tickets and late-deal packages with Microsoft’s Expedia.
Details of schedules for 450 carriers are on the site. Information on 40,000 hotels and destination profiles are also available.
The address is www.baa.co.uk.