Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has secured approval from the Uttlesford District Council for its planning application to increase the capacity of London Stansted Airport from 35 million passengers to 43 million a year.
The council granted approval following overwhelming support for the proposal from across the region.
Works will include two new taxiway links to the existing runway (a Rapid Access Taxiway and a Rapid Exit Taxiway); six additional remote aircraft stands adjacent Yankee taxiway; and three additional aircraft stands (extension of the Echo Apron) to enable combined airfield operations of 274,000 aircraft movements and a throughput of 43 million terminal passengers.The plans include a new arrivals building and revamping operations at the airport.
Uttlesford District Council received the planning application from MAG for development at Stansted Airport in February 2018.
In March 2018, the council launched a public consultation on the Stansted Airport planning application and in June 2018, it sought additional information from MAG to take a decision on the application.
London 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. This will boost our region’s economic growth and deliver 5,000 additional jobs at London Stansted Airport.
“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.”
He said that the feedback from the local community led the airport to put forward a proposal which did not seek an increase in the number of flights and committed to deliver the growth within a smaller noise footprint than the existing permissions require.
Toole said: “The decision is great news for the airport, our staff and the growth ambitions of the region, London and the wider UK and will improve passenger choice and convenience and boost international long-haul routes to fast-growing markets like China, India and the US.
“The combination of the strong economic health of our catchment, our available runway capacity, the £600 million investment we are making in our facilities and the continuing desire of local residents to travel by air by London Stansted, will collectively ensure that the airport has a bright future.”
