Stansted Airport to get bigger departure lounge as terminal expansion plans approved

A busy airport has been granted planning permission to extend its terminal as it enters a "new phase in its history" and aims to grow its capacity by eight million passengers a year.

London Stansted Airport said the expansion, which was approved by the inspectorate following a hearing earlier in October, would add a three-bay extension along the the back of the existing terminal.

It will expand the Essex terminal by a third, with the airport saying it will provide a bigger departure lounge, including new shops, bars and restaurants.

The 16,500-square metre extension will add "state-of-the-art" check-in equipment, more baggage capacity and an enlarged security hall with additional space for more security lanes fitted with improved scanners. 

A spokesperson for the airport said an estimated cost of the expansion could not be provided at this stage of planning.

Stansted has been London's fastest recovering airport, serving more than 27 million passengers in the last 12 months, they added.

Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s managing director, said: “Our plans will transform the airport experience for everyone connected with London Stansted, so today’s decision by the Planning Inspectorate to approve our scheme is excellent news for our passengers, colleagues, airport partners and the region we serve.

“Stansted is now entering a new phase in its history, as we look to serve more passengers than ever before.

“Our aim is to be the airport of choice for even more passengers, and we are confident we can achieve that goal by further enhancing our facilities and attracting even more airlines to the airport to provide the best range of destinations.”

The airport's plan to increase its annual passenger capacity to 43 million was approved in 2021, with the terminal expansion aiming to pave the way for the increased capacity.

Uttlesford District Council rejected the increased capacity plans in 2019 and was subsequently ordered to pay over £2m for the airport's court appeal costs.

Local campaigning group Stop Stansted Expansion - now Stansted Airport Watch - fought the plans "tooth and nail", as they compared the scale to Gatwick Airport.

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