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Stansted Airport teamed up with Olympian Steve Cram to launch its updated Surface Access Strategy and showcase the leading role airports will play in delivering a successful London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The five-year vision was unveiled to 120 top transport leaders, local authorities, airport representatives and key stakeholders attending Stansted’s annual Transport Forum.

The blueprint includes plans to:

-       work in partnership with new Stansted Express operator, Abellio to deliver service improvements;

-       enhance and extend Stansted’s coach and bus route network;

-       better customers service levels to ensure all passengers enjoy a great journey;

-       explore opportunities to reduce the environmental impacts from surface access transport.

Opening the Forum, Nick Barton, Stansted’s Managing Director, said:

“Since the introduction of the 2008 Airport Surface Access Strategy, our performance and role as a public transport hub has continued to go from strength to strength. We have continued our commitment to invest in transport facilities, including extending the platform at the airport rail station. We’ve also welcomed the introduction of brand new rolling stock on the Stansted Express and we continue to lead the field in encouraging more passengers to use public transport to get to and from the airport.”

Commenting on Stansted’s role during the London 2012 Games Nick Barton, added:

“London Stansted Airport is delighted to be an official provider to the London 2012 Games and very proud to be one of the first to say ‘hello’ to the thousands of visitors arriving in the UK.  We know it will be an operational challenge so we’re preparing now to make sure it’s a success for everyone. We’re aiming to make sure every passenger journey through Stansted during Games time is smooth, easy and efficient – to offer ‘business as usual’, only better.”

Guest speaker for the event was silver medallist from the Los Angeles Games, Steve Cram MBE. He spoke about his about his Olympic memories and the important role airports play both before and during the Games.

“London Stansted is just a stone’s throw from Stratford making it the nearest major international airport to the Olympic Village. So I was delighted to be invited by the airport to speak at the Transport Forum and share my experiences of competing at the Olympics and talk about the key role airports, like Stansted, will play before, during and after the Games,” said Mr Cram.

Stansted Airport will be open with flights operating as scheduled but, due to public sector strikes affecting immigration staff working for the UK Border Agency (UKBA), passengers arriving into the UK may experience delays at passport control.

We are working with UKBA and the airlines to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum.

All passengers are advised to check with their individual airlines website before travelling.

The state-of-art jet, which flew in direct from Boeing’s factory in Seattle, will be the first of three to be based at the airport by IAG Cargo, the parent company of British Airways and Iberia. The fleet will operate scheduled cargo flights to destinations such as Hong Kong, Atlanta, Houston and Shanghai.

Stansted Airport’s managing director, Nick Barton, said:

“We're delighted IAG Cargo, through its brand British Airways World Cargo, has selected Stansted as their UK base from where its three new generation 747-8F will operate. Stansted is already London’s second busiest cargo airport and third overall in the UK and the introduction of these planes will increase our operational capabilities and provide a boost to businesses in the region looking to expand and exploit new markets and opportunities.

“We have invested millions in upgrading our infrastructure to accommodate the new generation of super jets, and last year we gained official approval to operate the world’s largest aircraft. Today is a major milestone in the history of the airport as we welcome the first 747-8F.

“The arrival of these fantastic new jets not only increases our operational and business capabilities but they also bring significant environmental benefits as they are 30% quieter and produce 16% less emission than the aircraft they replace. This is also very welcome news as we continue to drive down our operational effects on the communities around the airport.”

A water cannon salute performed by the airport’s fire service showered the arrival, and airport staff gathered and welcomed the plane to its new home just before 7.30am Friday morning.