London Stansted today published its long-term plan for ‘sustainable growth’ over the next 20 years.
As part of this updated plan, the airport’s latest forecasts are that it could handle between 48-51 million passengers a year in the 2040s, up from around 30m at the present time.
There are a number of measures detailed in the plan for how this might be achieved without acquiring more land, but the airport is banking on larger aircraft with very high load factors in the future
This new plan comes after the recently announced a five-year £1.1bn investment programme at the airport. The centrepiece of the transformation is a £600m extension to the airport’s existing terminal, which will create a bright spacious environment, with more seating areas plus new shops, bars and restaurants to give travellers even more choice than they have today.
READ: Thousands of jobs to be created in £1.1bn Stansted expansion
Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said: “London Stansted has connected our area with the world, establishing the airport as a driver of economic growth and source of thousands of high-quality jobs and training opportunities while doing so.
“We want to continue to build on this success, growing the nearly 30 million passengers we welcomed this last year. With airlines offering more seats to more destinations, we will improve the choice passengers have, the value travel we offer, and make the most of our efficient terminal that is well connected to the local area.
“We’re proud of the role we play locally, have always taken our responsibilities seriously and will continue to do so as we make best use of our existing single runway, providing even more employment opportunities and working closely with local businesses to help them grow as the airport does.
“Over the coming months, we will be engaging widely with our local community on what the plan will involve, to ensure those who live and work near the airport and those who take advantage of the connectivity we provide get a chance to help shape the airport’s future.”
The draft Sustainable Development Plan (SDP) outlines how the airport intends to make best use of its existing single runway and what it will do to continue maximising the benefits and managing the impact of the airport’s operation for local communities. This includes:
How passenger travel to and from the airport will evolve in the years ahead and how the airport will mitigate any impact of this, ensuring half of all journeys are by public transport.
The extent of the airport’s economic contribution and how this will grow as Stansted’s number of passengers and destinations grow, involving 16,300 good quality jobs for local people.
Infrastructure and access improvements, including further work to M11 Junction 8 and funds for local bus services, local roads and sustainable transport developments.
Increased support for the Stansted Airport College offering more places to students to grow their careers in aviation, helping to meet industry skills shortages in engineering and hospitality.
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