Stansted airport seeks to raise passenger limit, targeting 51 million

Stansted currently attracts 30 million passengers and has permission to increase this to 43 million. However, it has now said it plans to apply to increase this to 51 million “within the next few months”.

“The airport’s ability to grow to serve up to 51 million passengers a year is a result of airlines planning to use larger models of modern, efficient aircraft than previously forecast, enabling more people to fly on each plane and meeting additional passenger demand with flight limits remaining unchanged,” it said.

A public consultation opened today (4 February) and will run until 10 March. Mitigation plans include improvements to the Stansted Express train and M11 Junction 8 and a target of ensuring half of all passenger journeys are by public transport.

In October, the government gave the go-ahead for a £600 million terminal extension, with work due to start this year.

Gareth Powell, Stansted’s managing director, said: “Stansted today serves 30 million passengers a year, and this number is forecast to grow over the next 20 years, so it’s only sensible to start making plans now. 

“We recently announced a £1.1billion investment programme, including an extension to the existing terminal, and we’re very proud of the role we play locally, providing over 12,000 jobs and supporting thousands of young people through our extensive educational and training schemes.”

Stansted’s application will be made after the government has delivered its verdicts on growth plans from Gatwick and Luton airports. A decision on whether to bring Gatwick’s reserve runway into regular use is due by the end of this month, potentially almost doubling capacity to 78 million passengers.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander will also give a verdict on Luton’s plans for a second terminal and 32 million passengers. This decision is due by 3 April and, like Gatwick’s, comes after chancellor Rachel Reeves indicated government support for a third runway at Heathrow and the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield airport.

Last August, London City airport was given permission to increase passenger numbers from 6.5 million to nine million and for a terminal extension. However, it was told it had to continue its 24-hour weekend closure period, putting a brake on expansion of leisure routes.