Stansted airport has announced that its application to increase the number of passengers it is permitted to serve from 35 million to 43 million per year has been approved by Uttlesford District Council.
The hub’s owner Manchester Airports Group (MAG) lodged the application earlier this year as a ten-year transformation project began. Plans include new piers, the expansion of Terminal 2 and a new arrivals terminal, which is due to open in 2020.
Stansted has seen exponential growth in passenger numbers in recent years, aided in part by a growing long-haul network and larger planes.
The airport claims its growth strategy comes with a “comprehensive package of community measures” and will create 5,000 new jobs.
Welcoming the decision, Stansted airport CEO Ken O’Toole said: “We are delighted that Uttlesford District Council has today approved our planning application to enable the airport to grow over the next decade.
“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.”
O’Toole said the increased passenger allowance will open the doors for more international long-haul routes to markets such as China, India and the US.
He continued: “I’d like to thank the hundreds of local residents, businesses, staff and on-site partners who have passionately backed our plans and I look forward to working with them all as we move into the next phase of our future.”
stanstedairport.com