London’s third airport Stansted has submitted a planning application to allow it to increase the number of passengers it handles from 43 million to 51 million over the next 20 years.
The application, lodged with Uttlesford District Council, is the latest in a wave of expansion plans that will increase London’s overall capacity by “another Heathrow” over the coming decades.
Heathrow itself wants to build a third runway that could allow capacity to rise from 80 million to 140 million a year, while Gatwick is awaiting final Government sign-off for bringing a second runway into routine use that would boost its capacity from 55 million to 75 million passengers.
Luton also has plans to grow its capacity from 19 million to 32 million passengers annually.
Manchester Airports Group-owned Stansted’s planning application does not require another runway.
However it would allow it to handle the next generation of larger Airbus and Boeing jets without any increase in the number of flights the airport is already permitted to operate and within the existing boundary.
Stansted already has permission for a £1.1 billion investment in its terminal but needs a separate consent for the increase in passenger numbers.
If it is approved Stansted has said it will press ahead with other investments including improvements to M11 Junction 8 to reduce congestion; funds for local bus services, roads and tackling fly-parking; improvements to the Stansted Express; and doubling the size of Stansted Airport College doubling in size so it can train more local young people
Managing director Gareth Powell, 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 £1.2 billion 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.”
Stansted handled nearly 30 million passengers last year, making it the fourth busiest in the UK and in the top 20 busiest in Europe.
It serves 200 mainly short haul destinations across 40 countries. It also has double-daily flights to Dubai with Emirates.
