London Stansted Airport facts for kids

Quick facts for kids London Stansted Airport
IATA: STN ICAO: EGSS
Summary
Airport type	Public
Owner/Operator	Manchester Airport Holdings
Serves	Greater London Urban Area
Location	Stansted Mountfitchet, Uttlesford, Essex, England, United Kingdom
Opened	7 August 1943; 81 years ago (1943-08-07)
Elevation AMSL	348 ft / 106 m
Coordinates	51°53′06″N 0°14′06″E / 51.88500°N 0.23500°E / 51.88500; 0.23500
Map
STN/EGSS Location in Essex Show map of Essex STN/EGSS Location in the United Kingdom Show map of the United Kingdom STN/EGSS Location in England Show map of England
Runway
Runway Length Surface m ft 04/22 3,049 10,003 Grooved Asphalt
Statistics (2022)
Passengers 23,290,097 Passenger change 21-22 226% Aircraft movements 159,502 Movements change 21-22 107%
Sources: UK AIP at NATS Statistics from the UK Civil Aviation Authority

London Stansted Airport (airport codes: STN, EGSS) is a busy international airport that serves London, the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. It is located about 42 miles (68 km) northeast of Central London, near the village of Stansted Mountfitchet in Essex.

Stansted Airport flies to over 160 places across Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is a main base for many low-cost airlines in Europe. For example, it is the largest base for Ryanair, which flies to over 100 destinations from Stansted. In 2022, Stansted was the fourth-busiest airport in the UK. Only Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester were busier.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Stansted was the second-busiest airport in the country. The airport's runway is also used by private companies. These companies handle private flights, charter flights, and even visits from important people.

Stansted Airport used to be a military airfield called RAF Stansted Mountfitchet. It was changed for civilian use in the late 1940s. The airport was managed by the British Airports Authority (BAA) starting in 1966. Later, BAA sold Stansted in 2013 to Manchester Airports Group. This happened because a ruling said BAA had too much control over airports.

About London Stansted Airport

London Stansted Airport is located near the village of Stansted Mountfitchet. It has one main building for passengers, called a terminal. There are also three smaller buildings, called satellites, where planes park and passengers get on or off. One satellite is connected to the main terminal by a bridge. The other two are connected by a special train system called the Stansted Airport Transit System.

The terminal building was designed by famous architects Foster and Partners. It has a unique "floating" roof that looks like a swan flying. The roof is held up by special pillars that also provide light, air conditioning, and other services. The airport was designed so passengers could move easily from parking to check-in, security, and then to their departure gates, all on the same level.

From 1997 to 2007, the number of passengers at Stansted grew very quickly. This was because low-cost airlines became very popular. Passenger numbers reached a high of 24 million in 2007. After that, numbers went down for a few years. But then they started to grow again. In 2016, 24.3 million passengers used the airport, and numbers have kept rising since then.

History of Stansted Airport

Where Stansted Airport is now, in about 1935

A Martin B-26 Marauder plane at Stansted in 1944

An Avro York plane taking off in 1955. Old military buildings are in the background.

Second World War Use

The airfield first opened in July 1943. It was used during the Second World War by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). It served as a base for bomber planes and a place to fix and update aircraft. Even though its official name was Stansted Mountfitchet, people usually just called it Stansted.

The airfield was first given to the USAAF in August 1942 for heavy bomber planes. Besides being a bomber base, Stansted was also a major repair and supply center for B-26 planes. After D-Day (the invasion of Normandy), these activities moved to France. But the base was still used to store supplies for aircraft on the continent.

After the War

After the American forces left in August 1945, the RAF took over Stansted. It was used for storage. From March 1946 to August 1947, German prisoners of war were housed there.

In November 1946, a new British cargo airline called London Aero and Motor Services started using Stansted as its base. They used old RAF planes. The airline closed down in July 1948.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation took control of Stansted in 1949. The airport then became a base for several UK charter airlines. In 1954, the US military returned to make the runway longer. This was in case it needed to be used by NATO, but that never happened. The airport continued to be used for civilian flights. In 1966, it came under the control of the British Airports Authority (BAA).

From the 1960s to the early 1980s, a Fire Service Training School was located at the airport. This school trained all aviation fire crews for British airports and many other countries.

Growing Commercial Flights

The terminal building at night

The arrivals hall at Stansted Airport

Aerial view of Stansted Airport

After BAA took control in 1966, holiday charter airlines started using Stansted. They wanted to avoid the higher costs of flying from Heathrow and Gatwick.

Stansted had been considered as a possible third airport for London since the 1950s. In the 1980s, a plan was approved to develop Stansted in two stages. This would increase the airport's capacity to 15 million passengers per year. However, plans for a second runway were rejected at that time.

The Foster + Partners Terminal

The current terminal building was designed by the famous architectural company Foster + Partners. It was built between 1988 and 1991 and cost £100 million. As part of this project, a railway line was built to the airport, and Stansted Airport railway station opened in 1991. The building won an award in 1990 for its modern design.

In 1988, the architect Norman Foster and artist Brian Clarke planned to add large stained glass artworks to the terminal. These artworks would have covered the east and west sides of the building. However, they were not built for technical and security reasons. Later, in 1991, a smaller stained glass project was commissioned. This included two stained glass friezes and a tall stained glass tower. But these artworks were also removed later to improve passenger flow.

Recent Changes and Growth

Between 2007 and 2009, the terminal building was expanded. This added more space for baggage claim, a new area for passport control, and improved facilities for arriving passengers.

In 2006, local authorities rejected a plan to increase the number of flights and passengers at Stansted. The airport appealed this decision, and after a public inquiry, the plan was approved in 2008. A group called Stop Stansted Expansion tried to challenge this decision in court, but they were unsuccessful.

In 2008, an environmental group called Plane Stupid caused delays by entering a part of the airfield. This led to many flights being cancelled.

In 2009, a ruling said that BAA had to sell Stansted Airport. After several appeals, BAA finally agreed to sell the airport in 2012.

In 2017, Antonov Airlines opened an office at Stansted for cargo flights. They often carry very large items.

In 2018, a group of activists delayed a flight. They were later found guilty of disrupting airport services. This event sparked discussions about public protests.

Airport Buildings and Facilities

Terminal and Satellite Buildings

The main terminal building at Stansted is divided into three areas: check-in, departures, and arrivals. There are no gates in the main terminal. Instead, gates are located in three separate satellite buildings. The airport has 68 gates in total.

Passengers arriving from other parts of the UK use a different exit route. This exit is at the opposite end of the terminal from the international arrivals hall. It's connected by a footbridge from Satellite 2. If a domestic flight arrives at a different gate, passengers take a bus to Satellite 2.

Passengers arriving from the Common Travel Area (like Ireland) take a bus from their plane to a separate entrance. This entrance leads to the main baggage claim area, but they don't have to go through Border Force checks.

Parking and Hotels

The Radisson Blu hotel, a short walk from the terminal

Stansted Airport has different parking options, including long-stay, mid-stay, and short-stay car parks. There are also special services where someone parks your car for you. You can drop off passengers at an express area (which costs money) or a free area in the mid-stay car park.

Since 2004, Stansted has also offered several hotels near the airport. Some, like the Radisson Blu and Hampton by Hilton, are just a short walk from the terminal building. Buses run regularly between the terminal, car parks, and hotels.

Control Tower

The Terminal Building with the Control Tower next to it

Stansted's air traffic control tower was finished in 1996. When it was built, it was the tallest in Britain. It helps guide planes safely. The old control tower didn't have good views of the airfield after the new terminal opened.

Other Buildings

There are several buildings for cargo and aircraft hangars around the airport. The main cargo center is near the control tower. It handles most of the cargo flights, including large planes like the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 and the Boeing 747. Some hangars are on the other side of the runway. The largest ones are used by airlines like Ryanair.

Several airlines have had their main offices at Stansted Airport over the years, including Titan Airways, AirUK, Buzz, and Go Fly.

Future Plans for Stansted Airport

Old Plans for a Second Runway

In 2008, there were plans to build a second runway and another terminal at Stansted. If approved, this would have allowed Stansted to handle more passengers than Heathrow did at the time. However, in May 2010, the airport decided not to go ahead with these plans.

The idea for a second runway had been discussed for a long time. But the opening date kept getting pushed back. Before the 2010 general election in the UK, all major political parties promised not to approve a second runway. After the election, the new government confirmed this. So, the airport withdrew its application, even though it had spent a lot of money preparing for it.

The group Stop Stansted Expansion was formed in 2002 to oppose the airport's expansion plans. In 2012, a commission was set up to decide what was needed for UK aviation. It suggested that a new runway was needed in South East England, either at Heathrow or Gatwick, not Stansted.

Terminal Improvements

In 2013, the airport announced an £80 million plan to improve the terminal. This included moving the security area, adding more seating, and improving information screens. The new departure lounge now has more food options, new shops, and a special "Escape Lounge."

New Arrivals Terminal

There are plans to build a separate terminal just for arriving passengers at Stansted. This new building would have bigger areas for immigration and baggage claim, along with more shops. The idea is to make the current terminal only for departures. This would make Stansted the only airport in the UK with separate buildings for arrivals and departures. Construction was planned to start in 2018, but it was put on hold in late 2019. In 2021, permission was granted for the airport's expansion plan.

As of 2023, the arrivals terminal project has been delayed. Instead, there are new plans to make the existing terminal building bigger.

Terminal Extension

New plans involve adding a "three-bay" extension to the back of the current terminal building. This extension will create a more spacious departure lounge with a wider variety of shops, bars, and restaurants. It will also have an expanded immigration hall and more baggage claim belts. The security area will also be made larger, and the latest check-in technology will be added.

As part of this big project, the Stansted Airport Transit System (the train that connects to the satellites) is planned to be removed in 2026. It will be replaced with new walkways that connect the satellite buildings to the main terminal.

Airlines and Places You Can Fly To

Passenger Flights

The following airlines fly regularly from Stansted Airport:

Cargo Flights

Stansted also handles many cargo flights. Here are some airlines that operate cargo flights from Stansted:

Changes in Flight Routes

Long-distance flights to the United States started in 1987 but didn't last long. In the early 1990s, American Airlines flew to Chicago, but this route was not profitable and stopped in 1993. Continental Airlines also had flights to Newark in the late 1990s, but these stopped after the September 11 attacks in 2001.

Long-distance flights to the US returned briefly in 2005 with airlines like Eos Airlines and MAXjet Airways. They offered all-business class flights to New York. MAXjet later added flights to Washington, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. American Airlines also started daily flights to New York in 2007. However, due to rising fuel prices and economic problems, all these services to the United States stopped by 2008.

Long-distance flights to Asia began in 2009 with AirAsia X flying to Kuala Lumpur. This service later moved to Gatwick Airport and then stopped completely. In 2019, Emirates started daily flights to Dubai. This route expanded to twice daily in 2023.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a big negative impact on air travel. Many planned new routes, like those to Moscow, Copenhagen, and Mumbai, never started. Also, easyJet, a large airline at Stansted, closed its base there in August 2020 after more than ten years of operation.

Airport Statistics

Passenger Growth Over Time

In 1988, over 1.1 million passengers used Stansted, which was the first time it had more than 1 million passengers in a year. The number of passengers grew steadily each year. By 1997, it reached over 5 million, and by 2000, it was almost 12 million.

In 2007, passenger numbers reached their highest point at nearly 24 million. But then, numbers went down for five years, reaching about 17.5 million in 2012. After that, passenger numbers started to increase again. In 2016, a record 24.3 million passengers used the airport, making Stansted the fourth-busiest airport in the UK. Stansted is also a major airport for cargo, being the third-busiest in the UK for freight in 2016.

Traffic Figures

Year	Number of passengers	Percentage change	Number of movements	Freight (tonnes)
2000	11,878,190	–	165,779	167,823
2001	13,665,333	15.0%	169,583	165,660
2002	16,054,522	17.5%	170,544	184,449
2003	18,722,112	16.6%	186,475	198,565
2004	20,910,842	11.7%	192,245	225,772
2005	21,998,673	05.2%	193,511	237,045
2006	23,687,013	07.7%	206,693	224,312
2007	23,779,697	00.4%	208,462	203,747
2008	22,360,364	06.0%	193,282	197,738
2009	19,957,077	10.7%	167,817	182,810
2010	18,573,592	06.9%	155,140	202,238
2011	18,052,843	02.8%	148,317	202,593
2012	17,472,699	03.2%	143,511	214,160
2013	17,852,393	02.2%	146,324	211,952
2014	19,941,593	11.7%	157,117	204,725
2015	22,519,178	12.9%	168,629	207,996
2016	24,320,071	08.0%	180,430	223,203
2017	25,902,618	06.5%	189,919	236,892
2018	27,996,116	08.1%	201,614	226,128
2019	28,139,051	00.5%	199,925	224,139
2020	7,536,869	072.2%	86,107	254,573
2021	7,145,802	05.2%	93,316	263,631
2022	23,289,652	0225.9%	159,502
Source: UK Civil Aviation Authority

Busiest Flight Routes

Busiest routes to and from Stansted (2022)

Rank	Airport	Total passengers	Change 2021 / 22
1	Dublin	815,761	164.4%
2	Istanbul–Sabiha Gökçen	726,387	255.4%
3	Budapest	479,766	258.0%
4	Rome–Ciampino	470,293	290.6%
5	Tenerife–South	451,476	270.8%
6	Bergamo	441,375	252.1%
7	Lisbon	436,069	131.6%
8	Barcelona	435,732	195.5%
9	Palma de Mallorca	387,592	195.5%
10	Faro	380,778	195.5%
11	Alicante	372,451	166.3%
12	Madrid	370,521	157.4%
13	Bucharest	364,025	149.7%
14	Málaga	341,438	186.6%
15	Porto	337,183	158.9%
16	Warsaw–Modlin	322,116	187.0%
17	Antalya	320,545	967.5%
18	Berlin	319,487	217.1%
19	Eindhoven	308,211	639.7%
20	Milan–Malpensa	300,009	300.8%

Getting To and From Stansted Airport

Airport Train System

The transit system connects the main terminal to satellite buildings 1 and 2.

The Stansted Airport Transit System is a free, automated train service. It connects the main terminal to the satellite buildings. The system uses special vehicles to carry passengers to their departure gates. You can only access this train after you have passed through security. There are plans to remove this train system in 2026 and replace it with walkways as part of the airport's expansion.

Trains to the Airport

A Class 745 train for the Stansted Express at London Liverpool Street station.

Stansted Airport railway station is located right inside the terminal building, below the main area.

The Stansted Express train runs to and from London Liverpool Street in Central London. This train runs every 15 minutes and takes about 45 to 53 minutes. From Liverpool Street, you can connect to London's Underground (subway) lines like the Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines, as well as the Elizabeth line. The Stansted Express also stops at Tottenham Hale, where you can connect to the Victoria line. Some trains also stop at other local stations like Stansted Mountfitchet and Bishop's Stortford.

CrossCountry trains run hourly from the airport to Birmingham New Street. These trains stop at places like Cambridge and Leicester. Greater Anglia also runs services to Norwich via Cambridge.

Buses and Coaches

You can also take express bus or coach services to and from London. These are provided by National Express and Airport Bus Express. The bus station is right next to the terminal building.

Airport Bus Express runs service A21 to Liverpool Street Station. National Express has many services, including A6 to Paddington Station, A7 to Victoria Coach Station, A8 to King's Cross Station, and A9 non-stop to Stratford. These services run frequently throughout the day.

National Express also offers direct coach services to Stansted from other airports like Luton and Heathrow. You can also get coaches from cities like Birmingham, Oxford, Norwich, and Cambridge.

Local bus services connect Stansted to nearby towns and communities. These include services to Harlow, Bishop's Stortford, Braintree, and Saffron Walden.

Road Access

Stansted Airport is connected to northeast London and Cambridge by the M11 motorway. It's also connected to Braintree, Colchester, and Harwich by the A120 road. The distance to London by road is about 37 miles (60 km).

The airport has many parking spaces. There are short-stay spaces close to the terminal for quick visits. There are also long-stay spaces further away, connected to the terminal by a free bus service. Mid-stay parking is also available, which is closer than long-stay. Stansted also offers services where someone parks your car for you.

Airport Safety and Incidents

The UK government has chosen Stansted as the preferred airport for any hijacked planes that need to land in the UK. This is because the airport is designed so that a hijacked plane can be moved far away from other buildings and runways. This allows the airport to keep operating while authorities deal with the situation. Because of this, Stansted has been involved in more hijacking incidents than other airports of its size.

• On 30 April 1956, a Scottish Airlines plane went off the runway during takeoff. Two passengers out of 54 died.
• On 23 December 1957, a Scottish Airlines cargo plane crashed while trying to land, hitting a tree and catching fire. All four people on board died.
• On 27 February 1982, an Air Tanzania plane was hijacked and landed at Stansted. After 26 hours, the hijackers gave up, and the passengers were released safely.
• On 30 March 1998, an Emerald Airways plane carrying the Leeds United F.C. football team had an engine explode right after takeoff. The plane landed safely, and only two passengers were injured.
• On 22 December 1999, Korean Air Cargo Flight 8509, a cargo plane, crashed shortly after taking off from Stansted due to pilot error. All four crew members died.
• On 6 February 2000, an Ariana Afghan Airlines plane with 156 people was hijacked and flown to Stansted. After a four-day stand-off, everyone on board was safely freed. The hijackers wanted to seek asylum in the UK.
• On 24 May 2013, a Pakistan International Airlines flight was escorted to Stansted by RAF planes due to a threat on board.
• On 21 September 2013, a SriLankan Airlines flight was escorted to Stansted by RAF planes after being diverted.

See also

In Spanish: Aeropuerto de Londres-Stansted para niños