London Stansted Airport: major expansion plans approved including bigger departure lounge and security hall - despite opposition

Major expansion plans for a UK airport have been approved that will enter it into a “new phase in its history”. London Stansted Airport in Essex plans to create a bigger departure lounge, a larger security hall and what it calls a "three-bay extension" to the terminal building size.

The project was approved by the government’s Planning Inspectorate and will see a greater choice of shops, bars and restaurants, according to an airport spokesperson. Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s managing director, said it was "excellent news for our passengers" as the airport looks to “serve more passengers than ever before.”

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

Its plan to increase its annual passenger capacity to 43m, up from 35m, was approved in 2021, with the terminal expansion aiming to pave the way for the increased capacity. In 2019 Uttlesford District Council had rejected the increased capacity plans and was subsequently ordered to pay over £2m for the airport’s court appeal costs.

Local campaign groups were also set up to fight the plans. One called Stop Stansted Expansion, now named Stansted Airport Watch, opposed various plans for reasons including increased carbon emissions, damage to local countryside and aircraft noise. The group fought the plans "tooth and nail" as they compared the scale to Gatwick Airport.

A spokesperson for the airport said an estimated cost of the expansion could not be provided at this stage of planning. Mr Powell added: “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. 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.”