London Stansted kicks-off 2023 with strongest passenger performance since pandemic

Stansted served 1.82 million passengers in January, equal to 94% of pre-pandemic levels

Highest percentage achieved since the lifting of travel restrictions last year

12-month passenger total now stands at more than 24.4 million

London Stansted began the new year as it ended 2022 with another strong passenger and operational performance.

The airport welcomed more than 1.82 million passengers in January 2023, up 173% on the same month last year.

The monthly total was equivalent to 94% of the passengers passing through the airport in January 2019, and the highest monthly percentage achieved in its rapid recovery from the impacts of the pandemic.

The number of passengers using London Stansted in the 12-months ending January 2023 reached 24.4 million, up 217% on the previous year.

Operational performance in January also remained strong, with 99% of departing passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less.

Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said:  “I’m really pleased the team here at London Stansted delivered yet another the strong passenger performance in January, achieving 94% of passenger volumes for the same month pre-pandemic, and building on the positive growth we experience last year after travel restrictions we lifted.

 I’m equally delighted we continue to provide a smooth and efficient security operation for our passengers, which we aim to maintain as we welcome many more passengers this week as they head off on half-term breaks, and as we build up to the peak summer months.

To meet rising passenger demand, we are recruiting even more colleagues to join our teams, as are many of our business partner across the airport. Last week’s jobs fair proved to be huge success, attracting hundreds of eager job seekers, so our plans to offer the best passenger experience and service as we continue to bounce back are well on-track.”

 

Widerøe, the largest regional airline in Scandinavia, will operate a twice-weekly service to the country’s second largest city using a 110-seat Embraer E190-E2 aircraft.

Starting on March 26, flights will depart London Stansted at 18.40 on Fridays and 11.30 on Sundays with prices for one-way fares starting at £59*.

A World Heritage Site located in the west of Norway, Bergen, is renowned for its Bryggen harbour district, one of Europe's oldest ports, and as the gateway to Norwegian fjords.

Simon Gorrighan, London Stansted’s Aviation Director, said: “We're delighted to welcome Widerøe to London Stansted, adding yet another new destination to our growing network and giving passengers even more choice when travelling from their local airport.

“This new route makes a beautiful region of Norway more accessible to UK travellers as well as being an important route for business, especially the energy industry in Norway and the East of England.”