London Stansted Airport submits expansion plans in Essex

London Stansted Airport submitted an ambitious expansion plan to increase its capacity to 51 million passengers annually by 2040. The proposal, backed by a £1. 1 billion expansion already approved, focuses on optimizing the existing runway and enhancing transport links without building a second runway or exceeding the flight cap of 274,000 annually. If approved, the initiative could create approximately 4,500 jobs, significantly impacting the local economy. Gareth Powell, managing director of the airport, expressed a commitment to listening to community concerns while promoting the benefits of the expansion.

Hertfordshire County Council has raised alarms about potential air quality and noise issues, demanding thorough evidence on how these concerns will be managed. The airport has already seen record passenger numbers, with 29. 3 million travelers recorded in the year leading to September 2024. More than 2,800 responses were collected from local stakeholders during the consultation process. The plan's success hinges on community support and the resolution of environmental concerns.