Stansted Airport Plans Expansion to Serve 51 Million Passengers

London Stansted Airport has submitted a planning application to increase its annual passenger cap from 43 million to 51 million, aiming to fully utilize its existing runway while staying within the permitted flight limit of 274,000 per year. The application, filed with Uttlesford District Council, is part of a 20-year plan to grow within the current airport boundary.

Stansted’s managing director, Gareth Powell, said the proposal aligns with the airport’s £1.2 billion ($1.63 billion) investment program, which is already underway. If approved, the expansion would enable Stansted to generate more local jobs, increase training opportunities, improve passenger facilities, and offer more flight options to global destinations.

The plan emphasizes sustainable growth, including a switch to 100 percent renewable energy and enhanced public transportation access. Powell noted that the airport has engaged with local communities, incorporating feedback to ensure the expansion is responsible and environmentally conscious.

According to Manchester Airports Group, which owns Stansted, the proposed growth would support 4,500 new jobs and fund infrastructure upgrades such as improvements to M11 Junction 8, enhanced bus and road services, better Stansted Express rail access, and the development of Stansted Airport College.

In 2024, Stansted served 29.8 million passengers, surpassing its previous record of 28.1 million set in 2019. The airport is also constructing a £600 million terminal extension, part of its broader modernization efforts, which will add 16,500 square meters of space and feature a 14.3-megawatt onsite solar power system.

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