London Stansted Airport Plans £600M Terminal Expansion

London Stansted Airport (STN) is set to embark on a £600 million ($784 million) extension to its passenger terminal, with construction expected to commence in 2025. This initiative is part of a broader £1.1 billion upgrade planned for the airport, announced by UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Transport Secretary Louise Haigh. The terminal expansion is anticipated to take two to three years, contributing to a comprehensive five-year improvement program that includes the addition of a solar farm.

In 2023, the project received general planning approval, and funding details have now been confirmed. The Manchester Airports Group, the owner of STN, is currently finalizing the procurement process for construction. The extension will increase the terminal’s footprint by 16,500 m² (54,100 ft²) and is designed to boost the airport’s capacity to accommodate 43 million annual passengers. In the 12 months ending September 30, STN served 29.4 million passengers, representing a 7.2% year-over-year increase and the highest number recorded in a single year.

STN Managing Director Gareth Powell emphasized that the new design has been meticulously crafted to enhance the passenger experience. The updated terminal will feature an enlarged immigration hall, relocating it to provide additional space for a larger departure lounge and new, more extensive baggage carousels.

The expansion project will also include a 14.3-megawatt onsite solar farm to meet current and future energy needs, alongside taxiway upgrades. Reeves and Haigh stated that this funding will expand the existing terminal by one-third, secure new air routes to vital business and leisure destinations, and strengthen the UK’s international presence.

In September alone, STN recorded 2.7 million passengers, marking a 3.4% year-over-year increase and the busiest September in the airport’s history. The top travel destinations included Italy, Spain, and Turkey, with Dublin, Istanbul, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Rome emerging as popular short-break options. Additionally, sought-after sunny destinations comprised Alicante, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Antalya, and Faro.

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