Stansted Airport's Vast Size: A Comprehensive Overview

London Stansted Airport is an international airport located 42 miles northeast of Central London, serving over 27 million passengers annually. It is the third-busiest airport in London and the fourth busiest in the UK. The airport has a single runway, which is 3,048 metres long and 46 metres wide, and offers flights to over 170 destinations in 35 countries. London Stansted is also a major freight airport, handling over 264,000 tonnes of cargo annually. The airport has recently announced a £1.1 billion expansion plan, including a £600 million terminal extension, to increase its capacity to serve up to 43 million passengers per year.

Runway and terminal capacity

London Stansted Airport currently operates using a single runway, which is 3,048 or 3,049 metres long and 46 metres wide. The airport is unique among UK airports in that it has a railway connection. The terminal's flexible interior space divides arrivals and departures laterally, with airside connections to gates by foot or people mover.

The airport's history as a World War II US bomber base has influenced its design. The terminal is located on the north side of the runway, with the majority of development taking place on the south side of the runway, between it and the original A120 road route. The airport's railway connection is also located to the south of the runway.

In 1984, an Inspector's Report was published, detailing a proposal to develop the airport in two phases, with the aim of increasing its capacity to 15 million passengers per year. The proposal included both airfield and terminal improvements, but the construction of a second runway was rejected. The first phase of the redevelopment was designed to permit an annual capacity of 8 million passengers, while the second phase intended to expand the terminal's capacity to 15 million passengers per annum.

In 2007, a £50 million expansion added 5,900 square metres of floor space to the terminal's international arrivals area, including extra baggage carousels and an expanded immigration hall. In 2013, the new owner of the airport, Manchester Airports Group (MAG), announced an £80 million terminal redevelopment programme, which included relocating the security area, doubling the seating, and improving information displays.

In 2023, Stansted Airport announced a £1.1 billion expansion plan, including a £600 million terminal extension to increase its capacity to serve up to 43 million passengers per year.

Passenger numbers

London Stansted Airport is London's third-busiest airport, serving over 180 destinations across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It is a base for several European low-cost carriers, including being the largest base for Ryanair, with over 150 destinations served by the airline.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport served around 28 million passengers annually. However, in 2020, the number of passengers plummeted to just over 7.5 million due to the pandemic-induced travel restrictions. As the restrictions eased in July 2021, the airport experienced a surge in passenger numbers, resulting in long queues and chaotic scenes due to staff shortages and increased documentation requirements. By late 2022, passenger levels had recovered to nearly 97% of pre-pandemic volumes.

In 2023, Stansted Airport handled 28 million passengers, and an expansion plan was announced to increase its capacity to serve up to 43 million passengers per year. The expansion includes a £600 million terminal extension to accommodate 200 additional flights per day and create over 5,000 jobs over five years.

Historically, Stansted Airport has undergone several expansions to accommodate growing passenger numbers. In 2016, plans were unveiled for a new £130 million arrivals terminal to relieve pressure on the existing single-terminal setup, the busiest in the UK. The expansion would have provided a larger immigration and baggage reclaim area, allowing the existing terminal to be dedicated to departures. However, the project was put on hold in 2019 due to fluctuating travel demand and economic uncertainties.

Stansted Airport's single runway handles a variety of aircraft, including private flights and charter services, and it is the UK's second-largest freight airport. The airport's capacity and efficient operations have contributed to its popularity among low-cost carriers and passengers, making it a significant aviation hub in the region.

Transport links

London Stansted Airport is located about 42 miles (68 km) northeast of Central London, near Stansted Mountfitchet, Uttlesford, Essex. It is the third-busiest airport in London and the fourth busiest in the UK, serving over 27 million passengers annually.

London Stansted Airport is well-connected to Central London and other parts of the UK by train, coach, car, and taxi.

The Stansted Express train service provides a direct link to Central London, with a journey time of approximately 47 minutes. The airport also has its own train station, located within the terminal building, offering direct connections to major cities across the UK, seven days a week.

Coach services are available to and from hundreds of locations across the UK, providing a cost-effective travel option.

For those travelling by car, London Stansted Airport offers parking facilities with over 35,000 spaces available. Car rental services are also available at the airport for those who wish to rent a vehicle during their stay.

Additionally, taxi services are readily available at the airport, with a taxi reservation desk located in the international arrival concourse. A courtesy telephone is provided in the domestic baggage reclaim area for easy access to the reservation desk.

The airport has also invested significantly in improving its transport infrastructure, with plans for expansion and improvement projects underway to enhance capacity and passenger experience.

Location and distance from London

London Stansted Airport is located near Stansted Mountfitchet, Uttlesford, Essex, 42 miles (68 km) or 30.11 miles (48.45 km) northeast of Central London. It is the third-busiest airport in London and the fourth busiest in the UK, serving over 27 million passengers each year.

The airport is accessible from London Paddington, with trains running every half hour and the journey taking around an hour and a half. The Stansted Express train service to Stansted Airport starts at Liverpool Street Station, stopping at Tottenham Hale Station, and runs every 30 minutes. The journey from Liverpool Street takes 50 minutes, and from Tottenham Hale, it takes 36 minutes. The Stansted Express covers most of the distance from Paddington, with the train station at the airport just a 2-3 minute walk from the main terminal. Paddington Station is located in Central London and connects to the rest of the city via the Bakerloo, Circle, District, and Hammersmith & City underground lines.

The airport is also accessible via the Uber app, with the average trip to Central London taking 63 minutes and covering a distance of about 62 kilometres.

London Stansted Airport is the newest of the three main London airports, having opened its first passenger terminal in 1991 to relieve pressure on Heathrow and Gatwick. The airport has one runway, which is 3,048-3,049 metres in length.

Airlines and destinations

London Stansted Airport is an international airport serving London, England, and the United Kingdom. It is London's third-busiest airport, serving over 27 million passengers annually. The airport offers an extensive European route network, providing London with more visitors from Europe than any other airport.

London Stansted Airport caters to over 180 destinations across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It is a hub for various low-cost carriers, including being the largest base for Ryanair, which serves over 150 destinations. The airport's single runway is also utilised by private companies such as Harrods Aviation, Titan Airways, and XJet terminals, which manage private flights, charter flights, and state visits.

A range of airlines operate regular scheduled flights to and from London Stansted Airport. British Airways, for instance, offers a one-way service to Amsterdam, with return flights arriving at London City Airport to reduce nuisance for nearby residents during limited weekend opening times. Long-haul scheduled services have been available since 1987, with a short-lived service by Highland Express to Newark Liberty International Airport via Prestwick Airport. American Airlines also provided a transatlantic service to Chicago–O'Hare in the early 1990s but withdrew it in 1993 due to unprofitability. Continental Airlines operated flights from Newark Liberty International Airport in the late 1990s until they were halted after the September 11 attacks. Long-haul services to the United States resumed in 2005 through Eos Airlines and MAXjet Airways, offering all-business-class services.

London Stansted Airport has experienced challenges and growth over the years. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced passenger numbers, but the airport demonstrated recovery by late 2022, nearing 97% of pre-pandemic volumes. In 2023, the airport announced a £1.1 billion expansion plan, including a £600 million terminal and facilities extension to increase capacity to serve up to 43 million passengers annually. This expansion is expected to add 200 flights daily and create over 5,000 jobs in the next five years.

Frequently asked questions