Now that Stansted Airport has been granted Code F status, and will be able to accommodate the A380 and 747-8, is there any chance that we might see A380 operators starting flights to Stansted?

Also, is there any chance we might see existing airlines attempting to carve a niche by purchasing A380's to operate cheaper low cost long haul flights from the airport?

Heathrow is terribly congested and Gatwick/Luton are not an option, so I was wondering whether or not we might see expansion at Stansted instead?

IMO, if you see an A380 at STN, it will be a LHR diversion rather than a scheduled service

Or if someone hijacks it and lands in the UK, as STN is the airport for highjackings in the UK. Not that I hope this will ever happen.

I don't think you will see regular service with an A380 to STN, the rating probably has more to do with BA Cargo 747-8.

/Lars

Quoting Larshjort (Reply 3): I don't think you will see regular service with an A380 to STN, the rating probably has more to do with BA Cargo 747-8. /Lars

This has been reported in the local press last week, 3 x 747-8 to start operating from STN on behalf of BA

Michael O'Leary just placed an order for 10 A380s  

I wouldn't be surprised if he did. People would fly Ryanair long haul if the price was right.

Probably only a matter of time.

Quoting BAfan (Thread starter): whether or not we might see expansion at Stansted instead?

i mean no offence here but just becuase something can happen doesnt mean can or should. it may just to accomodate possible diversions only

I don't think its going to happen though theoretically Emirates could bring A380 service to STN but even that would be very unlikely.

There is maybe a 10% chance of seeing the A380 at STN. The only way i see it would be if Air Asia X ordered some, as they are bound to in the next ten years or so, but I think they would move ops to LGW if they bought A380s I think.

Quoting BAfan (Reply 6): I wouldn't be surprised if he did. People would fly Ryanair long haul if the price was right. Probably only a matter of time.

25 minutes turnaround on an A380! LOL.

Quoting lapper (Reply 10): 25 minutes turnaround on an A380! LOL.

I don't think 25min turnaround would be needed on long haul. Using an A380 longhaul with 8xx people (cannot remember the max certification number) going EWR-STN m i g h t actually work if the fare is low enough.

But thats very theoretical, and we get too far off topic if we discuss long-haul LCCs. Although STN could actually offer enough destinations from Europe to make it feasible.

STN is now the diversion airport or secondary airport (which you have have to specify on a flight plan) for Emirates A380s heading to and from LHR, so you should see them reasonably often.