London Stansted Airport

London Stansted Airport
source
Name	London Stansted Airport
IATA	STN
ICAO	EGSS
Owner	Manchester Airports Group
Operator	London Stansted Airport Limited
City-served	London
Location	Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, England
Opened	1943 (as RAF Stansted Mountfitchet)
Hub	Ryanair, Jet2.com, TUI Airways
Metric-elev	106
Coordinates	51, 53, 06, N...
Website	stanstedairport.com

London Stansted Airport. It is a major international airport located in Essex, serving the London region and the wider East of England. As the third-busiest airport in the London airport system by passenger numbers, it functions as a key base for several European low-cost carriers, most notably Ryanair. The airport is renowned for its distinctive terminal building, designed by renowned architect Norman Foster.

History

The site's aviation history began in 1943 when it opened as RAF Stansted Mountfitchet, used by the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War. Post-war, it served various roles including as a base for British Overseas Airways Corporation maintenance and as a United States Air Force transport hub during the Berlin Airlift. The British Airports Authority took over the airport in 1966, commissioning its redevelopment into a modern commercial facility. The new terminal, a landmark of high-tech architecture, opened in 1991. Ownership later transferred to BAA plc before being acquired by the Manchester Airports Group in 2013.

Facilities

The passenger terminal, designed by Norman Foster and engineers from Arup Group, is celebrated for its innovative "floating" roof structure supported by a forest of "trees". The single-terminal layout houses three departure lounges accessible via an automated people mover from the main check-in area. The airport features a wide range of retail and dining outlets operated by companies like World Duty Free and Pret a Manger. Cargo operations are significant, with major facilities for carriers such as FedEx Express and a dedicated Royal Mail hub. Other infrastructure includes extensive aircraft maintenance hangars operated by MAG (Uzbekistan).

Airlines and destinations

The airport is dominated by low-cost carriers, with Ryanair operating its largest base here, offering an extensive network across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Other significant based airlines include Jet2.com, focusing on leisure routes, and TUI Airways. It also serves as a focus city for Peach (aviation) and sees seasonal services from carriers like Air Serbia and Enter Air. While primarily a point-to-point hub, it offers connections to major European hubs including Dublin Airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, and Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Ground transport

The airport is directly served by Stansted Airport railway station, located beneath the terminal, with frequent services to London Liverpool Street and London Tottenham Hale operated by Stansted Express. Numerous National Express (UK) and Terravision coach services provide direct links to Victoria Coach Station and other London hubs, as well as to cities like Cambridge and Birmingham. The airport is situated near the M11 motorway, providing direct road access to London and the A120 road connecting to the A12 road and the Port of Harwich.

Statistics

In 2023, the airport handled over 28 million passengers, making it the fourth-busiest airport in the United Kingdom. It is a critical cargo gateway, consistently ranking among the UK's top airports for freight tonnage, facilitated by operators like FedEx Express. The busiest international routes frequently include destinations such as Dublin Airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, and Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport. The airport typically operates near its single-runway capacity, which is capable of handling up to 35 million passengers annually.

Future developments

A major planning application, known as the Stansted Airport Transformation Programme, has been approved to increase annual passenger capacity to 43 million. This will involve expanding the terminal building, enhancing airfield facilities, and improving the Stansted Airport railway station. Proposals also include the construction of a new arrivals building and additional aircraft stands to accommodate next-generation aircraft like the Airbus A350. These developments are subject to conditions regarding sustainable aviation fuel usage and commitments on noise pollution controls, monitored by the local authority, Uttlesford District Council.

Category:Airports in England Category:Transport in Essex Category:Airports established in 1943