London Stansted Airport has unveiled a 1.1 billion GBP investment programme aimed at enhancing the passenger experience and accommodating future growth.
The centrepiece of this plan is a 600 million GBP extension to the existing terminal.
The announcement, made at the UK government’s International Investment Summit, comes as Stansted celebrates record-breaking passenger numbers for each month of 2024.
Planning permission for the extension was granted in October 2023, and the airport has now released images and videos showcasing its vision for the first time.
Once complete, the terminal expansion will allow Stansted to serve up to 43 million passengers annually. This will create up to 5,000 new jobs on-site and double the airport’s economic contribution to 2 billion GBP per year.
The investment programme includes several projects designed to improve the passenger journey and support the airport’s sustainability goals, including:
- An enlarged security hall with next-generation equipment
- A 14.3 MW solar farm to meet current and future energy needs
- Additional terminal and gate area seating
- New wayfinding kiosks
- Gate room reconfigurations to provide more space pre-boarding
- Upgrades to flooring and seating in satellite two, along with a new bar area
- Refurbished terminal toilets
- Airfield taxiway improvements
Several projects have also already been completed or are in progress, such as a new electric vehicle charging forecourt, drive-thru restaurants, an Emirates business lounge, and a new baggage reclaim carousel.
Stansted's Managing Director, Gareth Powell, said:Stansted is embarking on an exciting new chapter. We aim to add even more choice of airlines to continue growing our extensive route network. These exciting plans mean we are able to retain the benefits of our single-terminal operation while introducing an array of new facilities and giving us the space we need to grow.
The terminal extension will add three bays to the back of the building, increasing its size by 16,500 square metres. The redesigned space will feature an enlarged immigration hall, freeing up more room for a larger departure lounge with additional seating, new shops, and a more extensive selection of dining options.
The security hall will also be expanded, with more lanes equipped with next-generation scanners, while the arrivals area will gain larger baggage carousels.
Over the past year, new airlines such as Royal Jordanian and Sun Express, along with the return of British Airways, have boosted the number of destinations served by Stansted to over 200. As the airport continues to grow, the extended terminal will help accommodate increased demand and improve passenger flow during peak times.
