LONDON (26 March 2012) --- Pegasus Airlines marked its five-year anniversary of flight operations into London Stansted Airport today having also recently become the airport's 5th largest airline in terms of numbers of guests carried.
On this special day, double daily flights to Istanbul were launched in response to passenger demand. Celebrations at the airport included a special commemorative cake shared with guests while they checked-in and the first guest to check-in was given a free pair of return tickets. There was also a ceremonial water arch over the arriving aircraft and Directors from London Stansted and Pegasus exchanged commemorative plaques to mark the occasion.
Sertac Haybat, Managing Director of Pegasus Airlines, says: "We at Pegasus are very happy to be celebrating this five-year milestone with Stansted Airport. During that period we as an airline have grown immensely and Stansted has proven to be our most important partner and hub in the UK."
Commercial Director for London Stansted Airport, Jonathan Crick, said: : “Turkey has developed into one of the leading markets for short-haul travel from the UK and Pegasus Airlines have played a key role in developing that market from London Stansted. I’m delighted to join celebrations today and wish Pegasus every success as they launch double daily connections to Istanbul, which will be a real boost to our Turkish connections.
Pegasus flies to 51 destinations in 23 countries, having expanded its network in 2011 with new routes into the Balkans, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It grew six-fold in the last six years, flying 39.1 million guests during that period.
Its recently launched loyalty programme, Pegasus Plus, now means that guests living round the world can earn FlightPoints simply by signing up online at flypgs.com for its ground-breaking cardless membership, where their mobile phone number is their membership number.
Pegasus Airlines, which is renowned for its customer-focused services, offers 10% discount on Stansted Express tickets purchased on its flights.
London Stansted Airport has taken a step back in time, calling on the services of Suffolk Punch Horses to help manage its ancient woodland, Eastend Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) located just beyond the end of the runway.
Part of a 10 year management plan developed with Natural England, and closely managed by consultant ecologists Penny Anderson Associates, around 35 trees were identified for removal to allow it to continue flourishing, despite the fact that millions of passengers pass overhead each year (currently 18 million). To avoid damage that modern machinery might cause, the airport turned to traditional methods, utilising the help and power of the Suffolk Punch Horse to remove felled wood.
Commenting on the introduction of Suffolk Punch Horses into this unique project, Head of Planning and Sustainability for Stansted Airport, Dr Andy Jefferson said:
“We work closely with Natural England to help meet their long-term objectives for this ancient woodland, and whilst we all agreed that trees needed to be removed to protect its future, we were reluctant to use modern machinery which would damage flourishing habitats and wildlife.
“Some may question why we would remove trees from a SSSI, but this work is vital to ensure sufficient natural sunlight reaches lower level plant life to protect the future growth of important rare flora, such as oxlip, and to allow the remaining trees to grow strong by reducing overcrowding.
“Seeing the Suffolk Punch at work transports you back in time, especially against the backdrop of a major international airport operation and I’m sure we’ll work with them again as part of our on-going management of this important woodland that we’re proud to manage and maintain.”
By the end of March 2012 its anticipated around 80m3 of wood will be removed, all of which will be re-used, some as oak beams, some as mulch and some chipped to power Stansted’s 2MW biomass boiler, one of the largest in commercial use in the UK.
Consultant ecologist Penny Anderson has closely managed biodiversity at London Stansted Airport for over 30 years, and commenting on the management of Eastend Wood she said:
“This SSSI is of national importance and Stansted Airport has always taken its management very seriously, providing resources to effectively manage and balance the nature conservation and safety of aircraft operations.
“This latest management programme means that Stansted will now use some of the timber produced in Eastend Wood to power its biomass boiler, making it all fit together so neatly from an environmental perspective.”
The Panathlon Challenge will be the focus of London Stansted’s fundraising efforts for 2012 after being chosen as the airport’s inaugural charity partner of the year.
The Essex based charity, which came top in a staff vote, works with local schools across the South East and organises sporting competitions for disabled youngsters. Holder of the coveted Inspire Mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme*, the organisation also offers free training courses, supplies specialist equipment and provides qualified coaching and expertise.
Danny Crates, Paralympic Gold Medallist from Essex and sporting patron of the Panathlon charity, said:
"It is fantastic news that Stansted staff have chosen the Panathlon Challenge as their first ever charity partner. Panathlon provides Paralympic type sports competitions for young disabled people in Essex and London.
“As a local charity based at Stansted, this partnership with the airport is truly exciting and I hope will help us provide more sports equipment, coaching and sports competitions for local disabled children in 2012. We will now work on a programme of activities at the airport and look forward to a great year working together.”
The partnership will include a series of fundraising events in the terminal including a special mini Paralympic Games, and airport staff will be encouraged to get involved in volunteering projects.
Marcella M’Rabety, Stansted Airport’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, added:
“With the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games fast approaching, what better way to maximise the sporting legacy of the Games than getting our local young people involved in sport. We short-listed two sporting charities that work with both able bodied and disabled young people and put the vote to our staff.
“The Panathlon Challenge topped the ballot and we’re delighted to welcome them as our first ever charity partner. This is a fantastic opportunity for all of us at Stansted to make a real difference and to showcase the dedication, support and commitment of the airport and its staff.”
Stansted Airport has donated a further £50,000 to the Stansted Employment and Training Academy, operated by Urban Futures, boosting total donations from airport funds to £300,000.
The latest funding is in addition to the £250,000* commitment made by Stansted Airport when the academy first opened its doors in 2008, will help build on the existing work of the Academy and is part of a long term commitment by the airport to support employment, training and apprenticeship opportunities.
Chris Wiggan Head of Public Affairs, London Stansted Airport said:
“With unemployment rising above 2.5million and one in five young people now out of work, we’re delighted to do our bit to support the important work of the Stansted Employment and Training Academy with a further £50,000 funding.
“As the biggest single site employer in the region, we’re fully committed to helping people gain access to new skills and opportunities and the Academy provides a first class walk in facility for anyone seeking employment at the airport, wanting to improve their skills or get connected with apprenticeship opportunities.
“The Academy is an integral part of the airport community and we hope this latest cash injection will help open the door to more opportunities, giving more people across the region access to the varied roles on offer here at Stansted.”
The Stansted Employment and Training Academy delivers a range of services including:
- Online listing of airport vacancies via its dedicated website www.stanstedairportacademy.com
- walk-in facility for anyone seeking employment at Stansted
- educational visits for primary, secondary and tertiary educational facilities
- training support for airport employers and their staff
- accredited pre-employment training for the unemployed
Anita Garrard, Manager of the Stansted Employment and Training Academy, said:
“Since opening our doors in 2008, and with the generous support of Stansted Airport Limited, we have supported thousands of individuals looking for new employment and helped deliver many training opportunities for people keen to improve skills and open new doors on their career path.
“Our partnership approach at Stansted, working closely with BAA, airport employers and public agencies, has proven to be very successful and we’ll continue to do all we can to promote the wide variety of career opportunities available at this major international airport.”
For more information on services the Stansted Employment and Training Academy can provide look online at www.stanstedairportacademy.com, telephone 01279 661007 or visit the Academy in person at Stansted Airport (Open 09.00am – 16.00pm Monday to Friday).
30 of 40
