London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – London Stansted has announced details of a £1.1bn investment programme to expand passenger numbers to 43 million a year and expand the number of destinations it flies to.
The centrepiece of the five-year program is a £600m attachment to the airport’s existing terminal, with more seating spots plus new shops, bars and restaurants. The projects were announced at the government’s International Investment Summit and follow the airport reporting record-breaking passenger numbers for each month in 2024. Planning approval for the extension was secured last October, and Stansted released pictures to showcase its plans for the first time.
How will the expansion increase job opportunities?
The development seeks to help enable the airport to serve up to 43 million passengers a year which in turn would develop to 5,000 new on-site jobs, and witness the airport’s economic contribution double to £2 billion annually.
What are the plans for new destinations and airlines?
In July it disclosed it had passed a milestone of carrying 29 million passengers in one year for the first time. It currently passes to 200 destinations across 40 countries. Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, stated: “Stansted is embarking on an exciting new chapter. We aim to add even more choices of airlines to continue growing our extensive route network that is valued and enjoyed by the millions of passengers who choose to fly from London Stansted every year.
“We are unique among major airports in operating a single terminal, which means we can give people a simple, efficient and seamless experience. These exciting plans mean we can retain all those benefits while introducing an array of new facilities and giving us the space we need to grow.”
Further, he contended that since receiving planning permission last October, their teams have carefully assessed every touch point of a passenger’s journey through the terminal to ensure the extension transforms the airport understanding by adding more space, choice, convenience and range of services on offer, from check-in right through to arrivals.