London Stansted Airport (STN) is looking to increase its annual passenger limit to up to 51 million by 2045.
The airport has submitted a new planning application to Uttlesford District Council for permission to expand the use of its current runway facilities without any increase in flight numbers.
If approved, the increase is expected to create 4,500 new jobs, enable improvements to the Stansted Express & M11 Junction 8 (reduced congestion), provide funds for local bus services, allow for a switch to 100% renewable energy, double the size of Stansted Airport College and encourage half of all passenger journeys to switch to public transport.
The airport has spent the last few months consulting people in the local area, with a consultation on service expansion being backed by nearly 2,000 people.
Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said:We’ve listened carefully to all the feedback from our neighbours, which has helped shape our plans to grow London Stansted in the most sustainable and responsible way possible.
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.
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.
We have an exciting and ambitious vision for London Stansted and how we best serve our region, so I’m asking for local people to lend their support so we can make this plan a reality.
