A UK airport is set to become the country’s second busiest after its expansion plans are approved, it has been revealed.
Stansted Airport, the aviation hub located northeast of London, could see as many as 51 million passengers pass through its halls annually.
That’s in comparison to the 30 million it welcomed in the year up to September 2024.
To compare, Heathrow airport saw 83.9 million passengers in 2024, making it the busiest.
Meanwhile Gatwick, currently in second place, is used by around 42 million each year.
This means if Stansted reaches its capacity of 51 million, it could change from being the UK’s fourth busiest airport to the second busiest.
However, no structural changes are likely to go ahead – rather, the site will adapt to accommodate larger airplanes.
London Stansted has today secured planning approval to increase its annual passenger limit up to 51 million.
Stansted Airport is set to become the country’s second busiest
Uttlesford District Council has given the green light to Stansted’s application.
This paves the way for it to make best use of its existing single runway and grow passenger volumes towards the new limit over the next two decades.
As a result, Stansted will be able to do that without any increase in the number of flights the airport is already permitted to operate and within the existing airport boundary.
Full approval is subject to a final sign-off. Once completed, it will enable the airport to grow in the future.
This would unlock 4,500 new jobs, supported by the airport’s existing training and education facilities, a statement from Stansted airport revealed.
It would also make improvements to M11 Junction 8 to reduce congestion.
There will be funds for local bus services, roads and tackling fly-parking.
Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s managing director, said: ‘We are pleased Uttlesford District Council has approved our application, which lays the foundations for the long-term sustainable growth of London Stansted and means we can maximise the full potential of our existing runway.
The UK aviation hub has seen its expansion plans approved by the local district council
‘The opportunity is considerable as the full expansion of Stansted would deliver widespread social and economic benefits to the regions we serve, without any increase in the number of flights the airport is already permitted to operate and within the existing airport footprint.
‘That will enable us to create thousands of new jobs, provide training opportunities to the next generation of aviation professionals and attract new routes that give people more opportunities to visit the places they want to.
‘As we grow our airport over the next 20 years, we will do it sustainably – decarbonising our operations and ensuring half of all passengers accessing the airport do so via public transport.
‘Our plans were strongly backed by thousands of local people, businesses and airport partners, so I would like to thank them for their valued support and look forward to working together to turn our ambition for London Stansted into reality.’
