Local authorities have approved London Stansted Airport’s plans to increase passenger capacity to 43 million annually, allowing 23% growth from the current 35 million limit.
Stansted Airport, which handles 27 million passengers annually, said Nov. 14 that its planning application had been granted by Uttlesford District Council.
“Today’s decision offers London Stansted and its airline partners the long-term clarity we need to make further investment decisions at the airport, but also importantly provides the local community with the assurance that our future growth will be delivered in a measured and sustainable way,” London Stansted CEO Ken O’Toole said.
The proposal only applies to passenger numbers, O’Toole said. The airport did not seek an increase in the number of flights and the growth will be delivered within existing noise limits.
“This will boost our region’s economic growth and deliver 5,000 additional jobs at London Stansted Airport,” he said.
Over the next decade, Stansted plans to use the extra capacity to attract long-haul flights to fast-growing markets like China, India and the US.
Stansted Airport, which is going through a £600 million ($772 million) upgrade, is London’s third-largest airport and the fourth largest in the UK, primarily offering short-haul flights to more than 190 destinations in 38 countries.
source:ATW
