THE owner of a business based at Stansted Airport is encouraging other firms in the region to have their say on what they want from the new owner of the airport.

The former BAA group has agreed to sell the Essex airport to Manchester Airport Group in a £1.5billion deal, following a ruling from the Competition Commission.

Terry Farthing, managing director of Stansted-based Airport Lettings, which also has offices at Southend Airport, has now launched an online survey which he hopes businesses across the eastern region will complete.

Mr Farthing said: “Like the hundreds of businesses in the area, we were delighted when the years of uncertainty were brought to an end and new owners were announced last month.

“It now means we have some great opportunities to forge lasting and productive working relationships with Manchester Airport Group which could make a real difference to local and regional economy,” he said.

“In the past there has been a feeling amongst many in the business community that the owners of the airport could have done more to give access and opportunities to local firms,” added Mr Farthing.

“The best way we can let the new owners of Stansted know about what local firms think is to let them know direct.”

The survey can be found at www.airportlettings.co.uk/London-Stansted-Business-Survey-2013/ .

Mr Farthing intends to present the results and findings to the new owners.