Construction work has begun on a £500,000 airport themed education centre that is set to boost skills across science, technology, engineering and maths subjects (STEM).
Stansted Airport’s Aerozone will offer tailored STEM activities designed to give youngsters from local schools, colleges and community groups a taster of airport life and an insight into the variety of careers on offer across the site.
The airport’s Head of Construction and Development, Matt Allen, marked the occasion by turning the first sod of soil this week. He was joined by Aerozone Education Co-ordinator Joanne Davies and Bernie Kelly of Galliford Try - the company constructing the centre.
Matt said: “Engaging with young people, particularly those living in areas close to the airport, is a vital part of our community work. We want to encourage and inspire young people to think about what the airport does, why it does it, and the career opportunities that could be available to them in the future.
“We recognise the growing importance of tackling youth unemployment and we’ve already implemented a range of initiatives and projects to support young people into jobs at the airport. With high youth unemployment across the UK and a shortage of local skilled employees, the Aerozone along with our existing employment academy will equip future employees with skills that will help them find work, either at airports or with another employer.”
An old administration building adjacent to the airfield is being completely refurbished to house the classrooms while the surrounding area will be landscaped to include picnic, viewing and parking areas. There will also be space dedicated to the airport’s history that will include photos and artefacts dating back to the Second World War when Stansted began life as a U.S. Air Force base.
Earlier this year the airport launched its Community Network initiative which encourages local businesses to take part in airport community projects. Many have signed up and are supporting the Aerozone project, offering sponsorship and materials to kit out the centre.
“Within three years we aim to attract over 5,000 visitors each year to the Aerozone,”said Joanne Davies, the centre’s coordinator. “We also want to boost workplace volunteering and we will be encouraging airport employees via our Community Network initiative to get involved and give talks to groups about their careers and experiences,” added Joanne.
Work is due to be completed by mid-Feb 2015 with the centre set to open in March 2015.
Leading regional airline announces three new UK regional services from Stansted with a choice of up to 64 flights a week during 2015 summer season
Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, today announced it will start operations at London Stansted Airport with effect from 15th March 2015. This will feature year-round services to the Isle of Man (up to three flights a day) and double daily flights to Newcastle, together with seasonal part week summer flights to Newquay.
Paul Simmons, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: "We are pleased to launch three new routes to/ from London Stansted. Bolstering regional connectivity is our number one aim at Flybe and we’re always looking for ways to improve connectivity within the UK. We’re really thrilled to be able to bring a year-round offer to Stansted Airport and look forward to welcoming passengers from the Isle of Man, Newcastle and Newquay who are seeking easy access to Hertfordshire, Essex and London."
Welcoming today’s announcement, Stansted Airport’s Managing Director, Andrew Harrison said: “Today’s announcement is not only great news for our passengers but is a significant step forward on our ambition to transform Stansted and provide a richer mix of flight connections for the region we serve. When MAG acquired Stansted we set a clear ambition to transform the airport and the arrival of Flybe onto the departure boards for the first time in the airport’s history, and launch of these new direct services to Newcastle, the Isle of Man and Newquay, is another significant milestone in achieving that ambition.
“There is great support from across the business community to see Stansted grow, attract more airlines, offer a broader range of destinations and increased flight frequencies to provide the choice and connectivity that business passengers rely upon to compete and win more business.
“These new services deliver that for the business communities we serve and will also be very popular additions to the route network for leisure connections. We’re looking forward to giving Flybe our full support as they prepare to launch these new connections from Stansted.”
One way fares from £29.99 including taxes and charges are available for booking at www.flybe.com.
London Stansted urges Network Rail to show more ambition to unlock growth at the airport
London Stansted is urging Network Rail to show more ambition and greater vision to deliver faster rail services to unlock the airport’s potential and improve services for commuters.
Responding to the publication today of Network Rail’s Anglia Route Study proposals, Andrew Harrison, Stansted’s Managing Director, said:
“Network Rail clearly recognises the need to improve services to Stansted but its proposals published today lack the ambition and vision needed to deliver significantly faster services for airport users and commuters.
“We are already working with Network Rail, the DfT and others to develop better solutions that will result in greater savings in journey times for all users.
“This is important because unlike Heathrow and Gatwick, Stansted has spare runway capacity today and significant room to grow in the future. Making best use of Stansted is critical given the arrival of a new runway in the South East is at least 10-15 years away.
“It is almost a year since the Chancellor and Sir Howard Davies asked Network Rail to look at how to improve rail services between London and Stansted, as part of the Airports Commission's recommendations to Government.
“As Sir Howard Davies recognised, the best way to unlock Stansted's potential, improve passenger experience and foster further economic growth in the region is by investing in the infrastructure to provide faster journey times, additional capacity and greater resilience.
“Faster journey times to and from London will enable Stansted to continue supporting the capital's growth, particularly as it expands further east. Improved rail services would also be great for the wider region, delivering huge benefits for commuters and supporting economic regeneration and thriving industries up and down the London-Stansted-Cambridge corridor.
“We will be working with Network Rail to look again at what needs to be done to reduce journey times, and seeking a firm commitment from Government that the necessary investment on the rail line between London and Stansted Airport will be taken forward urgently as a central part of its aviation policy."
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