History of Stansted Airport

So how did it all begin?

Stansted airport started life in 1942 as a USAAF bomber base during world war two. During the package holiday explosion in the 60s, Stansted grew to become known as London's third major airport.

The airport's future became uncertain shortly after this, as the huge number of complaints and protestations about the possible development of the airport led to plans for its growth being scrapped by the government.

This all changed when a world oil crisis occurred and other airport options became too expensive. The increasing demand amongst the holidaymaking British public led to a turnaround in government policy and the development was given the go-ahead.

This growth led to it being bought out by the British Airports Authority, who developed the terminal in 1969 and extended it in 1972.

In 1984 Stansted airport gained approval for expansion to accommodate a larger number of passengers, and then in 1986, work began on the main terminal that stands today.

This new terminal was opened in 1991, and Stansted won awards for the building. Since then, Stansted has gone from strength to strength, and is now known as the UK's fourth major airport, and the British home of the budget airline.

Stansted's 41 airlines serve 160 destinations, with 23.5 million passengers every year passing through its doors.

In recent years, Uttlesford district council has granted BAA permission to expand the airport in order to accommodate 35 million passengers a year.

Stansted Today - Facts and Figures

• Stansted is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Stansted airport serves over 23.5 million passengers each year
• It is the third busiest airport in the UK, 49th busiest in the world
• Over 186,737 aircrafts from 41 airlines, depart and land at Stansted each year.
• The planes from Stansted fly to over 160 destinations covering 35 coutries across the world.
• Stansted has one runway that is 3048m long and 46m wide.