Airport Express Alliance to break up

Gatwick Express operator pulls out

The UK's Airport Express Alliance is to be disbanded when its current contract expires on September 21.

Paul Brindley, commercial director Airport Express, said: "Both Heathrow Express and Gatwick Express are very strong brands and want to refocus priorities on their core business so they can continue to deliver excellent customer service.

"We would like to reassure all clients and customers that the transition will be as smooth as possible."

Reports today claim Gatwick Express' operator Southern is withdrawing support for the sales and marketing alliance between it and Heathrow Express.

Staff at the alliance have been told that the withdrawal by Southern will result in job losses, one report said.

A spokesperson for Airport Express could not confirm whether redundancies would result from the split or not.

Airport Express said details of its future were still being discussed at this stage and a formal announcement would be made shortly.

Southern is understood to have decided to look after its own sales and marketing for Gatwick Express after being told it must run the franchise for a further five years.

It is unknown at this time whether Airport Express will continue to look after sales and marketing for Heathrow Express.

Southern was effectively forced to take over the rail service linking Gatwick to London Victoria last year when the UK Department for Transport (DfT) terminated its franchise.

Stansted Express was the first to leave the partnership in 2004 when ‘one' Railway took over as operator.

The partnership was founded in 1999 by Heathrow Express and Gatwick Express. Stansted Express joined the alliance soon after.

www.airportexpressalliance.com