Ray Ward reports from the launch of Flibco’s new Stansted Airport service, operated in partnership with Coach Travel Group member Readygroup
Stansted Airport is Britain’s third busiest airport and is one of three airports owned by MAG (Manchester Airports Group). The contract for the two coach providers that serve the airport recently came up for renewal: National Express, one of the incumbents, secured an extension to its contract but the airport decided not to renew its contract with Airport Bus Express and instead awarded it to Flibco, the Luxembourg-based operator which provides airport coach services throughout Europe. The Flibco service operates from Stansted to Stratford and Liverpool Street railway stations 24 hours a day. So why did the airport decide to switch to Flibco? I was about to find out at the launch ceremony.
Following the guidance of the airport I parked my car offsite at a nearby hotel and took the shuttle bus. On arrival at the bus station at the airport it was obvious that there was something different as there were swathes of bright green on some of the coach bays. There were green flags, green banners, staff in green tops and even a green building. I spoke briefly to Mike who told me he was from the firm’s Belgian operation and was there to support the launch and pass on knowledge to the new UK team. He pointed me upstairs and told me the ceremony would be taking place outside the main terminal building. After walking through a tunnel and up the escalator I arrived in the terminal just outside cabins that sell coach tickets. Here once again there was lots of bright green – Flibco was certainly making its presence felt.
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