Stansted Express rail service to join alliance

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.