London Stansted has submitted a planning application to Uttlesford District Council to increase its annual passenger limit up to 51 million over the next 20 years.  

The application seeks permission to make best use of Stansted’s existing single runway by the 2040s without any increase in the number of flights the airport is already permitted to operate and within the existing airport boundary. 

Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s managing director, said: “We have already kicked off our five-year £1.2bn investment programme to transform the airport, and if this application is approved, we will be able to unlock even more local opportunities and improvements over the next 20 years. 

“Making the best use of our existing runway will help create more jobs and training schemes, better facilities for passengers and provide more seats to an even greater choice of destinations.”

If approved, it will enable London Stansted to create 4,500 new jobs, make improvements to M11 Junction 8 to reduce congestion, fund local bus services, roads and tackling fly-parking, improvements to the Stansted Express, enable airport infrastructure to be powered by 100% renewable energy and double Stansted Airport College in size so it can train more local young people.