As part of the economic regulation of BAA, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) introduced a service quality rebate scheme which started on 1 April 2009, with the aim of improving service standards at Stansted.

This scheme covers service quality performance, specifically the serviceability (availability) of the following equipment:

Passenger Sensitive Equipment (PSE), which includes lifts, escalators, travellators (moving walkways), and the track transit system.

Other equipment in the scheme, including: outbound baggage system, arrivals baggage reclaim belts, fixed electrical ground power (for aircraft on stands), stands, jetties.

It also includes the following areas of the airport:

• Queuing at the departures security search area, and the availability of pier service for aircraft.
• Passenger perception of the availability of seating in the departures lounge, the quality of flight information systems, how easy it is to find their way around, and the cleanliness of toilets and concourse areas within the terminal buildings.
• Performance standards have been set by the CAA. If BAA Stansted fails to achieve any of these then rebates are paid to the Stansted-based airlines. Some elements within the scheme have a higher rebate penalty than others.

The maximum amount of rebate penalty currently payable is 7 per cent of airport charges income. This means that approximately £8.5m at Stansted is 'at risk'.

View 2010 performance here

View 2009 performance here