About Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport is the fourth busiest airport in the UK, it's the largest growing in Europe and is home to many of the leading low-cost scheduled airlines.

Around 20.5 million passengers travel through Stansted each year, and 20 airlines serve around 124 destinations. Stansted's catchment area covers around 25 million potential visitors. It is situated adjacent to junction 8a of the M11 motorway with dedicated slip roads into and out of the airport.

The terminal at Stansted won awards and broke traditional design when it opened in March 1991. The glass and steel structure were designed by Sir Norman Foster and it gives a feeling of airiness not usually associated with airport buildings.

One level down is the train station, which provides direct rail links to Victoria Station on the Stansted Express which runs every 15 minutes.

A Brief History of Stansted Airport

Originally a Roman burial site back in AD 100 - 200, The runway was built by USAAF in 1942. On D-Day, 1944, Bombers from Stansted led more than 600 aircraft over the beaches of France.

The newly formed British Airports Authority took control of Stansted in 1966. In the 1970's a new terminal was built to cope with the growing passenger numbers and the Government White Paper "Airport Policy" proposed major expansion of Stansted. In 1980 British Airport Authority submitted planning application to Uttlesford District Council to develop the airport.

Following a public enquiry lasting 258 days in 1985, the government gives permission for development of the airport 15 million passengers a year. An early motion by 75 MPs led to a compromise of a phased development to 8 and then 15 million passengers with a cap on the number of take-offs and landings by passenger aircraft.

In April 1986, work began on the new airport and five years later in May 1991 the new £400 million terminal was opened by The Queen. In June 1999 permission was granted to go to phase two of development and in January 2000 work commenced and public consultation begins on expansion to 25 million passengers per annum.

In September 2002 planning permission is granted by Uttlesford District Council to expand passenger capacity to 25 million per year. In January 2003 Stansted agreed a £30 million package of community benefits and environmental safeguards.