London Stansted Airport
London Stansted Airport (STN) has submitted a planning application to raise its annual passenger cap to 51 million, seeking to maximize use of its existing runway without exceeding its current flight limit.
The proposal, lodged with Uttlesford District Council, outlines a 20-year plan to grow within the airport’s existing boundary and its permitted limit of 274,000 annual flights.
“We have already kicked off our five-year £1.2 billion [$1.63 billion] investment program 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,” STN managing director Gareth Powell says. “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.”
The plan includes upgrades aimed at improving sustainability and transport links, such as switching to 100% renewable energy and increasing the share of public transport access.
“We’ve listened carefully to all the feedback from our neighbors, which has helped shape our plans to grow London Stansted in the most sustainable and responsible way possible,” Powell adds.
According to owner Manchester Airports Group, the expansion would support 4,500 new jobs, improvements to M11 Junction 8, funding for local bus services and roads, upgrades to the Stansted Express rail service, and the expansion of Stansted Airport College.
STN currently has planning approval to grow to 43 million passengers per year. In 2024, it handled 29.8 million passengers—its busiest year to date—surpassing the previous record of 28.1 million in 2019.
The airport is already building a £600 million extension to its passenger terminal, part of the broader £1.2 billion upgrade. The extension will add 16,500 m² (54,100 ft²) and include a 14.3-megawatt onsite solar farm.
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