Stansted Airport to consult public over capacity expansion plans

London Stansted Airport will hold a series of local community consultation events in the coming weeks to gather the views of local residents on lifting flight caps. The consultations will begin with a meeting tomorrow (July 6) at the Hatfield Heath Institute near Bishop’s Stortford.

Stansted Airport staff will be hosting eight exhibitions in towns and villages during July as part of its preparations ahead of submitting a planning application later this year to Uttlesford District Council. The airport will also launch a new dedicated website to share information and capture the views of those unable to attend the consultation events.

Following submission of the planning application, Uttlesford District Council will carry out a further consultation with local people, businesses and statutory agencies as part of its process for determining whether to grant planning permission.

Stansted is one of the UK’s fastest growing airports serving nearly 25 million passengers a year, flying to more than 180 destinations in 40 countries. The airport currently has a planning cap that limits annual passenger numbers to 35 million but its existing runway has the potential to serve around 44 million passengers a year.

Andrew Cowan, CEO, London Stansted Airport, said, “Stansted will be critical in supporting the UK’s economic growth and increasing our global competitiveness. Making the most of existing capacity at Stansted over the next 10-15 years is a strategic priority and we want to hear what people across our region think.

“We are committed to meeting future demand in the most sustainable and efficient way possible. In the coming weeks and months, we will be continuing to talk to those with an interest in Stansted’s growth, including local residents, businesses and airline partners to ensure we maximize the social and economic benefits and address any impacts.”

“By lifting the current planning caps, Stansted will be able to serve around 44 million passengers a year on its existing runway by 2030.

“Unlocking the full potential of Stansted’s single runway will be good for passengers and competition, and help businesses access key markets and trade with new partners. Passengers will also benefit from significant investment in new facilities, providing them with a high quality travelling experience.”