Yearly passenger numbers at London Stansted Airport could exceed 50 million before the end of the next two decades if approval goes ahead for an increase in annual limits. A planning application requesting the change has been submitted to authorities as Uttlesford District Council, according to a press release issued by the airport.
In 2024, Stansted Airport, in Essex, northeast of London, served a record 29.76 million passengers. According to the airport’s media centre, the increase in capacity over the next 20 years would not require a new runway but instead would “make best use of Stansted’s existing single runway by the 2040s without any increase in the number of flights the airport is already permitted to operate and within the existing airport boundary.”
Rise and shine — a brand-new week of travel awaits! 🌅✈️ This Monday, let’s explore new destinations, embrace fresh adventures, and make every moment count. pic.twitter.com/TplwVwPfkP
— London Stansted Airport (@STN_Airport) June 9, 2025
4,500 jobs, decreased congestion, and boosts for sustainability
If the plan is rubber-stamped, the airport claims it could “unlock 4,500 new jobs” as well as reducing congestion on the nearby M11 motorway thanks to improvements that would go ahead. It would also generate funding for local bus services, and roads, and help to address unauthorised parking, the airport says.
Under the proposals, sustainability could be boosted, the press release also asserts, by powering the airport entirely with 100% renewable energy and ensuring half of all passenger journeys to the airport are made by public transport.
Wheels up for the weekend! ✈️ Here’s to blue skies, bold adventures, and smooth departures. Happy Friday from the runway to wherever you're headed! pic.twitter.com/nPKXkP2Fcm
— London Stansted Airport (@STN_Airport) May 30, 2025
Local consultation
The plans follow month-long consultations with local residents, businesses and passengers, and a “widespread social media campaign and hundreds of one-to-one conversations.” Over 2,800 people across the area took part in the consultation, the airport notes, pointing out that 71% of respondents support the expansion request.
Hailed as part of an “ambitious vision”, the application is the result of listening carefully to feedback from neighbours, according to Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director. He added: “We have already kicked off our five-year £1.2bn (€1.4 billion) investment programme to transform the airport, and if this application is approved, we will be able to unlock even more local opportunities and improvements over the next 20 years.”
Uttlesford District Council, run by Residents for Uttlesford group, was criticised by an independent report in 2022, for its refusal of Stansted’s 2020 expansion plan to grow passenger numbers to 43 million. The refusal was said to be “politically motivated” and was overturned on appeal.
Residents for Uttlesford and the Stop Stansted Expansion group have been contacted by Travel Tomorrow for comment but had not replied at the time of publication.
