Ryanair agrees deal with Stansted

Ryanair says it will boost passenger numbers at London’s Stansted Airport by 50% to more than 20m over 10 years after agreeing on terms for growth with new owner Manchester Airports Group.

The airline, which attracted 13.2m customers at Stansted in 2012, is counting on the airport north of London for 25% of its expansion by 2019, chief executive Michael O’Leary said at a briefing yesterday.

Ryanair is expanding at its biggest base after MAG agreed to trim a 6% increase in landing charges inherited with the £1.5bn (€1.8bn) takeover from BAA Ltd in February.