London-Stansted Airport looks to increase passenger limit to 51 million per year
London-Stansted Airport (STN) has applied to its local government representatives to increase its annual passenger limit to 51 million over the next 20 years.
On June 9, 2025, London’s third airport said it had submitted a planning application to Uttlesford District Council after completing a consultation with 2,800 people across the local area.
According to Stansted, the airport is looking to make “best use” of its existing single runway by the 2040s without increasing the number of flights it’s already permitted to operate within the existing airport boundary.
Stansted owner Manchester Airports Group (MAG) said the increase in passengers would see improvements to M11 Junction 8 to reduce congestion and an extra 4,500 new jobs generated.
If the application is approved there would also be an improvement to local train links and an ambition for half of all passenger journeys to be made by public transport.
In October 2024, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a £1.1 billion ($1.4 billion) investment in Stansted Airport.
Around £600 million ($782 million) will be spent on the previously announced terminal extension, while £500 million ($651 million) will be used to improve the existing terminal and wider airport estate.
“We have already kicked off our five-year £1.2bn investment programme to transform the airport, and if this application is approved, we will be able to unlock even more local opportunities and improvements over the next 20 years,” said Gareth Powell, Stansted’s Managing Director.
Powell added: “Making the best use of our existing runway will help create more jobs and training schemes, better facilities for passengers and provide more seats to an even greater choice of destinations.”
The airport owners are encouraging more local people to get behind the plans. Out of 2,800 local people consulted, almost 2,000 people backed Stansted’s plan.
Stansted served a record-breaking 29.3 million passengers in the year to September 2024.
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The post London-Stansted Airport looks to increase passenger limit to 51 million per year appeared first on AeroTime.
London-Stansted Airport (STN) has applied to its local government representatives to increase its annual passenger limit to 51…
The post London-Stansted Airport looks to increase passenger limit to 51 million per year appeared first on AeroTime.
