London Stansted is the UK's third largest airport serving around 19 million passengers a year (mppa). With approval to serve 35 mppa, it's the only London airport with space and permission to grow. This places Stansted at the forefront of future London aviation market growth.

Developing our routes

Whilst London Stansted is firmly positioned as a market leader for short-haul travel across Europe, serving more direct European destinations that any other airport in the world, the focus now turns to the development of long-haul destinations.  

To boost this ambition, London Stansted obtained Code F status in July 2010, effectively opening the doors for new generation aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8 to operate on its runway. Find out more about super jumbos at Stansted.

AirAsia X has already developed extremely popular connections between London Stansted and Kuala Lumpur, a link that has opened up new low-cost air travel markets between the UK, South East Asia and Australia. 
  
And with the introduction of its new premium cabin - the first low-cost, flat bed, business travel option for long-haul travel from the UK - AirAsia X and its Stansted operations are at the heart of the UK's low-cost, long-haul travel revolution. Exciting developments for UK business and leisure travellers alike. Find out more about our developments.

Modern facilities

The provision of modern and efficient facilities for passengers travelling through London Stansted is regarded as one of our key priorities.

Stansted is already well placed to serve 35 million passengers per year following significant recent investment in our infrastructure, including a £50m international arrivals extension to the terminal that incorporates one of the largest commercial bio-mass boilers in the UK at present.

Thanks to the use of leading edge technology and innovation, online check-in and mobile MMS boarding cards have become standard practice for the main airlines operating at Stansted. 

And if you're arriving into London Stansted, you'll find automated Border Agency clearance gates for use by European Economic Area (EEA) passengers holding e-passports. The gates, which use biometric facial recognition technology, help to increase security at our border, improve efficiency, and provide a better experience for our passengers.

Finally, whether you will be travelling through London Stansted on business or pleasure, International passengers can enjoy the exciting new range of excellent lounge facilities across all three satellites. Find out more about our lounge facilities.
 

2012 and beyond

London Stansted is gearing up to play its role as a key entry point for visitors to the London 2012 Olympic Games given its expansive route network across Europe, developing long-haul connections and, most importantly, its direct links to Stratford - the main gateway to the Olympic Park.    

And in plenty of time for the Games, Stansted Express will take delivery of brand new rolling stock in Spring 2011, giving Stansted Airport rail passengers new modern train carriages, with free wi-fi, for the short connection into Central London. Find out more about our trains.

Growing responsibly

London Stansted is setting the standards for growth with responsibility. It is the only UK airport to hold both OHSAS18001 for health and safety and ISO14001 for environmental management. Find out more about our health and safety.

But growing responsibly is more than just holding such credentials - it's about what we do both now and in the future.

We are proud that London Stansted is already the UK’s leading airport and one of the best-performing in Europe for public transport use. In 2009, 49 percent of our passengers used train, coach or bus when travelling to and from the airport.

To help protect the local communities living and working around the airport, London Stansted has produced five-year strategy plans aimed at reducing and mitigating the impact of the Airport on both air quality and aircraft noise. Find out more about corporate responsibility.

Our waste recycling achievements are also impressive. We already recycle 50 percent of our total waste today, with a target to recycle 60 percent of all waste and send zero waste to landfill by 2015. And as we continue to grow, our aim is to limit the amount of waste produced by 2015 to no more than the level in 2006. View the press release here.

London Stansted also supports BAA's commitment to cutting CO2 emissions from energy use at its airports by 15 percent in 2010, and by 30 percent in 2020, compared to 1990 levels.