London Stansted secured planning approval to increase its annual passenger limit up to 51 million.
Uttlesford District Council gave the green light to Stansted’s application, which paves the way to grow passenger volumes towards the new limit over the next two decades. The airport says it can do that with its single runway and without any increase in the number of flights the airport is already permitted to operate.
The airport currently handles about 30 million passengers.
It claims growth in passenger numbers will create 4,500 new jobs.
It will lead to improvements to M11 Junction 8 to reduce congestion and funds for local bus services, roads and tackling fly-parking.
It predicts half of all passenger journeys to and from the airport will be made by public transport, to relieve pressure on local roads.
Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said: “We are pleased Uttlesford District Council has approved our application, which lays the foundations for the long-term sustainable growth of London Stansted.”
“The opportunity is considerable as the full expansion of Stansted would deliver widespread social and economic benefits to the regions we serve, without any increase in the number of flights.”
