London Stansted Airport has been given the go ahead by Uttlesford District Council to increase the number of passengers it can serve from 35 million to 43 million a year.
The airport submitted a planning application to increase its annual numbers which it said will make best use of the capacity to support international connectivity, including more long-haul routes. It was given the green light on 14 November.
London Stansted Airport chief executive officer, Ken O’ Toole said: “Today’s decision offers London Stansted and its airline partners the long-term clarity we need to make further investment decisions at the airport but also importantly provides the local community with the assurance that our future growth will be delivered in a measured and sustainable way.
“From the outset our local community has been a vital partner in this planning process and it was their feedback which lead us to put forward a proposal which did not seek an increase in the number of flights and committed to deliver the growth within a smaller noise footprint than our existing permissions require.
“The decision is great news for the airport, our staff and the growth ambitions of the region, London and the wider UK and will improve passenger choice and convenience and boost international long-haul routes to fast-growing markets like China, India and the US.
“The combination of the strong economic health of our catchment, our available runway capacity, the £600 million investment we are making in our facilities and the continuing desire of local residents to travel by air by London Stansted, will collectively ensure that the airport has a bright future.”
Last year, the Essex gateway served 25.9 million passengers, 6.5 per cent more than 2016.
This article was originally written and published by ARGS’ associate editor, Justin Burns on November 20 2018.
