THE first scheduled flight between Stansted Airport and the United States took off last Wednesday.
Continental Airlines flight C039 to New York/Newark Airport departed at 9.30am and arrived at about 12.30pm. Stansted Airport managing director John Stent enthusiastically welcomed the addition to the airport's range of destinations.
He said: "Our customers have wanted a convenient and reliable service to the USA for a long time now.
"There are many businesses in the region which will welcome an easy transatlantic link and there is plenty of leisure orientated demand too. I hope and expect this service will be very popular."
East of England Development Agency chief executive Bill Samuel welcomed the launch as a "significant boost" for the region's 350,000 businesses.
He said: "The USA is already this region's number one export market, and there are more than 400 American businesses with bases in this region."
The launch of the daily transatlantic flights come as Stansted continues its rapid growth.
Last year a £200m expansion project was started which will increase its capacity from the current 12m passengers per year, to 15m.
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