However, both BAA and some observers derided Ryanair's threats to cut traffic by 40 per cent at Stansted. Michael O'Leary's ability to apin a tale has reached a new level this week. Along with the gullibility of parts of the media in accepting it. Hook, line and sinker. This was based on the contention that the airline should have compared its projected winter capacity of 24 aircraft at Stansted, not with its summer capacity of 40, but with its previous winter capacity of 28. Thus, the reduction would be only 14 per cent, not 40 per cent.