£130 Million Expansion Plan Proposed by London Stansted Airport

London Stansted Airport has unveiled new plans to expand, with a new £130 million arrivals building.

With increasing traveller numbers, the UK’s fourth busiest airport explained on its website that it is now “reaching capacity.” The airport sees 17.5 million passengers a year (March 2013), and flies to over 150 destinations around the world.

The aim of the new arrivals building is to greatly improve passenger experience, and to cater for the airports increasing traveller numbers.

The new plans reveal that the new arrivals building, if all goes ahead, will be situated opposite the original terminal. The new building is proposed to provide larger space for immigration and baggage reclaim areas, as well as new retail facilities.

Greater space is also proposed in the security and check-in areas, as well as in the international departure lounges, by converting the already-existing terminal over-time, and solely dedicating it to departures.

The plans of the expansion have been put forward to the airports local council, Uttlesford District Council, and are currently awaiting a decision.

If approved, the stand-alone building is predicted to take 3 years to construct. The airport understands that building a stand-alone arrivals building will help to minimise disruption to travellers.

In a series of tweets, Andrew Cowan, Stansted Airport’s CEO, said: “The application and concept design for the new £130 million arrivals building marks the latest phase in Stansted’s transformation.

“It enables us to support further growth over the next decade and give our passengers the facilities they want.

“It’s always been our vision to invest in infrastructure to create the best experience for our growing number of passengers and airlines.

“We have already invested over £150 million to update our terminal and satellite facilities, create 1000 new jobs, and add nearly 7 million more passengers.

“Stansted is a thriving national asset and key component of the UK’s aviation infrastructure when capacity in the country is at a premium.

“Investment will boost competition and enable Stansted to play a bigger role supporting economic growth, jobs, and international connectivity.”

More details on the airport’s plan can be found here www.stanstedairport.com/transformation/

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