MAG announces £1.1bn investment programme at London Stansted Airport

London Stansted today revealed details of a five-year £1.1bn investment programme that will deliver wide-ranging benefits to passengers and help secure links to even more global destinations.

The centrepiece of the plans is a £600m extension to the airport’s existing terminal, which will create a bright spacious environment, with more seating areas plus new shops, bars and restaurants to give travellers even more choice than they have today.

The plans were first announced at the government’s International Investment Summit yesterday and follow London Stansted reporting record-breaking passenger numbers for each month in 2024.

Planning permission for the extension was secured last October, and Stansted today released images and a video to showcase its plans for the first time.

The terminal development will help enable the airport serve up to 43 million passengers a year, which in turn will create up to 5,000 new on-site jobs, and see the airport’s economic contribution double to £2 billion annually.

Also included in the airport’s £1.1bn investment programme are a number of projects to enhance the passenger journey and support Stansted’s commitment to deliver a sustainable future, such as:

Manchester Airports Group hosts annual ACI Europe Technical, Operations and Safety Committee

Senior figures from European aviation gathered at Manchester Airport to discuss the key safety and operational issues and opportunities in the sector. More than 100 delegates attended the annual ACI Europe Technical, Operations and Safety Committee (TOSC).  

MAG, the UK’s largest airports group which owns Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, hosted the conference at the Concorde Conference Centre next to the UK’s global gateway in the North. Topics on the agenda included operational preparedness for the introduction of the digital EU entry and exit system, runway friction management and digital apron management. 

Committee attendees included Schiphol Airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport and Athens International Airport, alongside representatives from Eurocontrol, the UK Civil Aviation Authority and NATS.  

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, addressed the committee where he spoke about the importance of the UK aviation industry’s continued collaboration with ACI Europe. He said: 

“…Our relationship with ACI Europe is so crucial in a post-Brexit world. Despite the UK’s departure from the European Union, UK legislation aligns with EU regulations in many cases, and numerous EU policies have been transposed into UK law. We remain deeply connected to many of the issues that ACI addresses.” 

Mr Woodroofe emphasised how sustainable growth of the aviation industry is fundamental. Referencing the comprehensive decarbonisation roadmap the industry has already developed, he pointed to the use of more fuel-efficient aircraft, airspace modernisation, the production of sustainable aviation fuel and the progressive introduction of zero-emission aircraft as playing critical roles in getting the sector to net zero by 2050. 

He also spoke about MAG’s record-breaking passenger performance in recent months, which has seen Manchester Airport serve 30 million passengers across a 12 month period for the first time in its history, and London Stansted consistently break its monthly passenger records.  

MAG plays an active role in representing UK airports at ACI forums. Alongside Ken O’Toole’s appointment to the ACI Europe Board at its annual congress in July, Monika Simonaityte, Head of Air Traffic Management Strategy at MAG, sits as the current Vice-Chair of the Technical, Operations and Safety Committee.  

Record breaking September at London Stansted.

London Stansted welcomed a record-breaking 2.71 million passengers in September as strong demand for short breaks and late summer sun continued beyond the peak holiday season.

The record monthly total was an increase of 3.4% on the same month last year and surpassed the previous record for September set in 2018 by more than 31,000 passengers.

The most popular sunshine destinations during the month were Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Malaga, Antalya, and Faro, with Dublin, Istanbul, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Rome the most in-demand short break and city destinations.

The most popular countries across the month were Spain, Italy, and Turkey.

Operational performance during the month remained strong, with 99% of passengers passing safely through security in 15 minutes or less, and with an average queue time of less than 2 minutes during the main departure peaks.

The 12-month total to the end of September stands at 29.35 million passengers, an increase of 7.2% on the previous year.

Jon Fowler, London Stansted’s Chief Operations Officer, said:  “Hot on the heels of London Stansted’s busiest ever peak summer season, we once again welcomed a record-breaking number of passengers in September as our extensive range of around 200 destinations, and reliable and efficient airport operation continued to drive strong demand from people wanting to fly from their local airport.

“The possibilities to travel affordably and flexibly from London Stansted provide people with fantastic choices, whether they are flying away for a late summer holiday or ‘weekenders’ jetting off to explore some of Europe’s most iconic cities on a short break.

“And we also continue to welcome tens of thousands of overseas visitors who really appreciate the excellent value and convenient access we offer that makes Stansted the obvious choice when wishing to visit the great cities of London and Cambridge, and the wider Eastern region, on their holidays.

“I’m delighted that the hard work and dedication of our colleagues, and cooperation with business partners across the airport, has enabled us to deliver a very strong and reliable level of customer service for our record-breaking number of passengers, with an average security queue time of less than two minutes during the busiest departure periods, and 99% of passengers passing safely through security in under 15 minutes.

“We are now preparing for the half-term holidays, when we expect to be really busy once again, so our focus is on maintaining and delivering the simple and efficient experience we know our passengers really value when choosing to travel from London Stansted.”

why not head to Europe at Halloween for a spooky experience........

With Halloween just around the corner, why not trick or treat yourself and explore Europe’s spooky side with a ghost-tastic break from London Stansted this autumn.

From the haunted castles of Prague to the mysterious markets of Amsterdam and the ghostly streets of Edinburgh, cities across the continent provide an unforgettable experience for those who want to embrace the spirit of Halloween.

London Stansted is one of the best UK airports for exploring Europe, serving more destinations across the continent than any other.

Whether you're looking for spine-tingling adventures or family-friendly Halloween fun, these six cities are sure to deliver a spooktacular experience flying from your local airport.

Neringa Ohrstrom, from London Stansted, said: “What better way to celebrate Halloween than with a ghoulish getaway to Europe. The wide choice of destinations, great value, and ease of access offered by London Stansted means that you can visit festivals, castles, and scary spots in Europe from your local airport. Whether it's exploring the haunted streets of Edinburgh, delving into the legends of Transylvania, wandering the atmospheric streets of Prague or experiencing the Gothic charm of Budapest, these six destinations offer a thrilling and hair-raising Halloween experience.”

London Stansted scoops Airport of the Year at the UK National Transport Awards 2024

London Stansted has been named Airport of the Year at the prestigious UK National Transport Awards 2024.

The judging panel, made up of senior figures from across the transport industry and government, recognised London Stansted’s achievement of record-breaking passenger numbers every month in the last year, while maintaining a smooth, reliable and consistent airport operational performance throughout the period.

The awards acknowledged Stansted having the best aircraft on time performance (OTP) and lowest on-airport delays among London airports, as well as the airport’s ability to process 99% of passengers safely through security in 15 minutes or less. The judges also referenced the high percentage (48%) of passengers using public transport to access the airport, the best performance of any major UK airport.

The awards, in association with Transport Times magazine and hosted by Simon Lightwood MP, Minister for Local Transport, and comedian Jon Culshaw, saw Stansted clinch the title from a very competitive shortlist that included Luton Airport, Aberdeen Airport, Edinburgh Airport, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Glasgow Airport and our sister airport, East Midlands Airport.

Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said   “I’m delighted London Stansted has been named Airport of the Year at the prestigious UK National Transport Awards, and very proud that we have been able to achieve this fantastic recognition on the back of what has been a record-breaking year as we serve more passengers than ever before across our ever-growing route network.

Winning an award such as this requires a huge team effort, so to be the best reflects the great professionalism, dedication, energy and ambition of everyone here at London Stansted to deliver the best possible service for our passengers at every stage of their airport journey.

And I’m also really pleased the awards gave us the opportunity to showcase to the judges many of our other great strengths. This includes our intensive work in providing employment, skills and educational opportunities to people of all ages across the communities we serve, our efforts to ensure the airport is sustainable and accessible to all, and our on-going investment to continually improve our facilities and enhance the customer experience at London Stansted.”

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Former MP and minster takes up new role at airport advisory group.

Robert Halfon, former Minister of State for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education for the Department for Education, and former MP for Harlow, has officially started his new role as Chair of Stansted Airport College (STAC) Advisory Group.

The STAC Advisory Board was set up to ensure the successful ongoing operation of the college and to provide a strategic oversight of the curriculum and quality of provision at Stansted Airport College as well as to help facilitate, develop and manage relationships with employers and other stakeholders.

The Advisory Board is made up of all key relevant stakeholders, including school, employer, local authority and student representatives.

Meeting between three and five times a year, the Advisory Group will support Harlow College and Stansted Airport College in its activities to advise and promote the College wherever possible. Robert brings with him a wealth of experience in both local and national government, making him ideally placed to lead the Advisory Group.

Speaking ahead of taking up his new role, Robert said:  “As former MP for Harlow, I was very proud of my relationship with Harlow College, having visited over 100 times. It is a huge achievement that Harlow College is now one of the best Colleges in the country. That is why I am so pleased, and honoured, to chair the Stansted Airport College Advisory Board. It is wonderful to see this relatively new College become such a success. The only college of its kind in a major airport is an extraordinary achievement.

Emirates opens new premium lounge at London Stansted Airport

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has opened the doors to its new lounge at London Stansted Airport. The airline has invested more than GBP 4 million to design a spacious 900-square-metre lounge that can accommodate up to 125 guests, including First and Business Class customers, as well as Emirates Skywards members.

The new lounge is Emirates’ sixth dedicated lounge in the UK, complementing the airline’s world-class facilities available in London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Manchester. All London airports served by Emirates now provide access to premium on-ground experiences for customers to unwind and enjoy elevated dining experiences ahead of their journeys.

Emirates is one of few airlines that have invested in its on-ground experiences including its own network of 40 dedicated lounges around the world and complimentary chauffeur drive services for premium customers.

Mohammed Mattar, Divisional Senior Vice President Airport Services at Emirates said: “Emirates has been serving London Stansted since 2018, and the airport remains a very important gateway for our customers across the southern region of the UK.  The new lounge is a testament to our brand promise of always flying customers better – in the air and on-ground. And it also marks a major milestone for us as we now proudly offer dedicated lounge facilities across six airports in the UK – underscoring our ongoing commitment to one of the most important markets in our network. We look forward to taking the premium travel experience to new heights and to offering customers a chance to unwind and dine with Emirates’ renowned signature hospitality.”

Gareth Powell, Managing Director at Stansted Airport, said: "The opening of Emirates’ new world-class lounge is fantastic news for London Stansted and passengers using Emirates services to Dubai and beyond, and once again demonstrates the airline's commitment to the airport and the wider region. Offering an experience of luxury and comfort for the airline’s First and Business Class customers, its location in Satellite 1 boasts excellent views over the airport and allows boarding access to the aircraft directly from the lounge. The 14 weekly flights between London Stansted and Dubai have been extremely popular with travellers since day one, not just to the Middle East, but right across the globe thanks to the airline's huge worldwide route network.”

Taking premium travel to new heights

Located in Satellite 1, adjacent to the departure gates – customers can look forward to a spacious lounge with new furnishings and dedicated seating areas to dine and unwind in before a flight. Customers will also enjoy an exceptional food and beverage selection, complimentary Wi-Fi, and refreshing shower facilities and amenities.

The Emirates lounge also offers customers a short walk for boarding access to the aircraft, with a short 2–3-minute walk to the aircraft.

It may be September, but summer training for winter is snow joke!

As temperatures hit the mid-20 oC this week, it may seem odd to hear London Stansted has been preparing for the winter by kicking-off its snow training programme to ensure the airport is ready for any adverse weather in the months ahead.

The snow team, which is responsible for clearing runways, taxiways and aircraft stands during wintry weather conditions, has been diligently working over the last few weeks to fine-tune its winter operations plan.

To familiarise themselves with the airport's fleet of specialist equipment and snow clearing techniques, the team has been conducting regular training sessions, while emergency response plans have been revised and updated to ensure they are able to respond efficiently to any snow-related incidents.

Nick Millar, the airport’s Operations Director, said: “With more than 29 million passengers travelling through London Stansted in all weather conditions each year, it’s a big job to ensure the airfield and runway are always safe and operational. Winter brings additional complexities, and a large team of colleagues work together to prepare for snow and ice, no matter how rare it is in this part of the UK. We have a robust Winter Operations Plan in place which is reviewed and tested every year to make sure that everyone involved in responding to a snow event is fully prepared if and when the time comes.

One of the key aspects of preparation is ensuring that the airport has the necessary equipment and resources to handle snow and ice effectively. The snow team has been conducting inspections and maintenance of its snowploughs, blowers, and other snow removal equipment to ensure they are in good working condition. They also check we have sufficient supplies of salt and de-icer to ensure the runway and taxiways are adequately treated during icy conditions.”

The airport's proactive approach to winter planning extends beyond the runway and airfield to ensure that other airport facilities, including the car parks, airport roads, and passenger walkways, are also well prepared to deal with the challenges posed by cold weather.

“Our commitment to winter preparedness is to provide a safe and smooth travel experience for passengers, and by proactively preparing early for the season's challenges, the airport is ensuring it has done all it to can to continue flight operations even during the harshest of weather conditions,” added Nick.

 

Five new routes taking off this autumn from London Stansted

As summer draws to an end, many of us may be feeling the blues, but fear not, London Stansted has some exciting news to lift everyone’s spirits with five new routes taking off this autumn.

After returning to the airport earlier this year, British Airways has started flights to Split on 7th September, offering affordable fares and convenient flight times to Croatia’s second-largest city.

While Ryanair, London Stansted's largest airline, is expanding its network this winter with flights to Reggio and Linz in October, Dubrovnik and Sarajevo in November.

Split

Split, Croatia - BA CityFlyer will operate weekly flights to Split using Embraer 190 aircraft with Club Europe and Euro Traveller cabins. Located on the Dalmatian coast, the city offers a blend of history, culture and natural wonders. Flights will operate every Saturday, departing from London Stansted at 12.55 and arriving in Split at 16.20. The return leaves Split at 17.05 and arrives in Stansted at 18.45.

Book British Airways flights here.

Linz

Linz, Austria - From October, Ryanair will operate a twice-weekly service between London Stansted and Linz. Located in northern Austria, Linz is the country’s third-largest city, and is not currently served by direct flights from the UK. Linz will join Ryanair’s existing services from Stansted to the Austrian cities of Klagenfurt, Salzburg and Vienna.

Reggio

Reggio, Italy - Ryanair will fly on Wednesdays and Sundays from October to the city which is in the southwestern Italian region of Calabria. It is often called the best-kept secret of Italy, with Reggio Calabria making for an ideal base for exploring the rest of the region.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, Croatia - Starting in November, Ryanair will operate twice weekly flights between London Stansted and Dubrovnik on Wednesdays and Sundays. This is one of Croatia's most visited destinations and is referred to as the Pearl of the Adriatic.

Sarajevo

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Flights to the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina will operate on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays from November. This vibrant and historical city is located in the heart of the Balkans.

Stansted is already known for its extensive European route network, and these new flights will only strengthen it further. With over 190 destinations across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa the airport truly offers something for everyone.

Neringa Ohrstrom, Head of Brand & Marketing at London Stansted, said: "We are thrilled to announce these new services from London Stansted this winter. We understand the importance of providing our customers with a diverse range of destinations to choose from, and these new flights do just that. Whether you're looking for a city break, a winter sun getaway, or a cultural experience, London Stansted has got you covered."

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Record breaking passenger numbers for Manchester and London Stansted, as MAG delivers strong summer for passengers

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is celebrating a record-breaking summer season, as passenger numbers reached an all-time high.

7 million passengers travelled through a MAG airport across August

Manchester Airport and London Stansted both marked their busiest ever months on record

Operational performance remained strong offering passengers an enjoyable summer holiday experience

In August, nearly 7 million people travelled through a MAG airport, which was 6.6% higher than in the same month in 2023.

That meant that across the peak summer season – July to August – more than 13 million passengers chose a MAG airport to start their holidays or overseas trips.

Rolling 12-month traffic figures show the Group – which owns Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports – has served 63.4 million passengers in the year to August 2024.

August was Manchester Airport’s busiest ever month on record, serving 3.4m passengers, which was up 8.8% on August 2023.

London Stansted also recorded its busiest-ever month with 3.1 million passengers flying through its terminal - an increase of 4.9% on August 2023. The month also saw the four busiest days in the airport’s history. The busiest day was 23 August with more than 103,000 passengers travelling through the airport, exceeding the previous busiest day on 24 August 2018.

East Midlands Airport served more than 540,000 passengers across August, which was up 2.8% on the same month in 2023. Over the summer season so far, more than two million passengers chose to fly from East Midlands Airport, benefitting from the recent improvements delivered as part of the five-year £120m investment into the airport.

London Stansted records busiest ever July

The start of the peak summer holiday getaway helped London Stansted record its busiest ever July as 2.9 million passengers passed through the terminal.

The monthly passenger total was an increase of 3.4% on the same month last year, and the third busiest month in Stansted’s history.

July also saw the airport record its busiest ever departure day as nearly 53,000 passengers took to the skies on 26 July, the first Friday of the school holiday.

The top destinations in the month were Dublin, Istanbul and Palma de Mallorca, with the most popular countries being Spain, Italy and Turkey.

The 12-month total to the end of July stood at 29.12 million passengers, an increase of 8.5% on the previous year.

Operational performance in July remained good with 99% of departing passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less, with an average queue time of less than four minutes 30 seconds during the main departure peaks. In addition, the airport’s services to passengers with reduced mobility and disabilities was last week rated as “very good” by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the highest award possible, for the second consecutive year.

The month also saw the launch of the airport’s latest Little Book of Travel Tales, which was created as part of a World Book Day competition. Children from schools surrounding the airport were given the chance to share their stories with themes including flights, aircraft, holidays and working at the airport. The book is being handed out by airport colleagues in the terminal to entertain young travellers across the summer holiday.

Top marks once again for London Stansted in CAA accessibility audit

London Stansted has once again received the highest rating for its service to passengers with reduced mobility and disabilities from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). 

The industry regulator has rated the airport as 'very good' for the quality of its assistance service in its Airport Accessibility Report, which evaluates 26 of the largest UK airports. 

In 2023, London Stansted was upgraded from 'good' to 'very good' for its significant improvements in assistance services and over the past year, further improvements have been made, resulting in it once again receiving top marks.  

The most notable enhancements include upgrades to the Changing Places accessible toilets in the departure lounge, the introduction of sensory kits for passengers with non-visible disabilities, the addition of a landside and airside dementia meeting places and improved signage to help with independent navigation through the terminal. 

Anita Harrison, London Stansted’s Customer Operations Director, said: “We're delighted to receive the highest possible rating from the CAA once again, which reflects the hard work of our colleagues and our service provider, ABM, who make every effort to provide a welcoming and inclusive experience for every passenger travelling through London Stansted Airport. 

In the last 12 months, we have worked closely with our airlines and ABM to improve our service even further. The upgrades made to the Changing Places facilities, the introduction of sensory kits, and the improved signage have all contributed to us receiving top marks again. 

We’re committed to providing the best possible experience to all passengers with reduced mobility and non-visible disabilities, but we strive to improve even further in the future, we acknowledge that achieving that standard is an ongoing process.” 

Anna Bowles, Head of Consumer Policy and Enforcement at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:  “Making aviation accessible to all is an important part of our work to protect the public and enable the aerospace sector. Progress is being made, and not rating any airports ‘poor’ this year is welcome, but there’s more work to do, especially by those airports we have rated ‘needs improvement’ in our report. We will continue to work with the sector to ensure that standards are maintained and improved.” 

MAG launches Little Book of Travel Tales in time for the school summer holidays!

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has launched its latest Little Book of Travel Tales to entertain young travellers this summer. 

 The book will be handed out by airport colleagues across terminals at Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports over the summer holiday period.  

It was created as part of a World Book Day competition earlier this year, which was held at schools surrounding all three airports, with schoolchildren given the chance to share their stories with passengers. 

Seven schools were involved in submitting their stories with themes including flights, aircraft, holidays and working at the airport. In addition to 13 different stories, the book includes puzzles, activities and a holiday diary.  

 The book has been published as part of MAG’s newly launched ‘Little Flyers Club’. The Club, set up for MAG’s young travellers, is made up of five animated characters – Jet, Porter, Casey, Carrie and Finn. With a dedicated webpage on all of MAG’s airport websites, parents can access both digital and print-out activities for their children (London Stansted, Manchester and East Midlands). The Club aims to educate and entertain children about travel and aviation as they fly off for their holidays. Young people can also find the characters as they travel through the airport and pose for a photo with their favourite. 

London Stansted Community Fund grants £30,000 to local good causes

10 organisations across Essex and Hertfordshire are celebrating after being awarded a share of almost £30,000 from the Stansted Airport Community Fund (SACF).

The SACF offers grants of up to £5,000 to projects aimed at improving community life, the environment and conservation within a 10-mile radius of the airport.

The independent committee representing local authorities and airport stakeholders meets quarterly to discuss applicants and decide how the funds will be distributed.

Chair of the Community Fund, Daniel Burford, said:  “We are very fortunate to have so many wonderful community groups and voluntary organisations around the airport. The work they do really makes a difference to the lives of the local people, which is why I am delighted that we are able to offer these grants to support their activities. Applicants who wish to apply for the next round of funding, including our annual flagship £50,000 grant, should do so by September 30. So, if you have a community-led project you wish us to support, please apply on our website."

Among the organisations receiving grants this quarter are:

The Arts Centre Dunmow - £1,825 towards sky tiles and solar panels.

Bishop's Stortford Musical Theatre Company - £2,500 towards mobile stage equipment.

Across, Bishop’s Stortford - £1,310 to help with assisted travel for those with ill health or disabilities.

Sawbridgeworth Cricket Club - £3,000 towards a wicket mower.

Thaxted Festival Foundation - £1,300 towards catering equipment for the annual festival.

Daisy May's Farm, Bishop’s Stortford - £5,000 towards new disabled toilet facilities.

Thaxted Dragons Karate - £3,341 towards training equipment.

Accuro (Care Services), Bishop’s Stortford - £5,000 towards accessible minibus.

Hunsdon Scout Group - £1,600 towards tents.

Dig It Community Allotment, Saffron Walden - £2,400 towards decking.

Passengers top 29 million following busiest ever June at London Stansted

London Stansted passed the rolling 29 million passengers a year milestone for the first time in its history following its busiest ever June on record.

Stansted welcomed 2.8 million passengers in June, an increase of 8.3% on the same month last year, and 153,000 more passengers than the previous busiest ever June in 2019.

During the month Stansted also recorded its first ever 100,000 plus passenger days in the month of June, with more than 100,800 passengers passing through the terminal on 28 June. This was also the third busiest day ever at Stansted.

Operational performance in June remained good with 97% of departing passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less.

In addition to many people heading off for an early summer holiday, the monthly total was also boosted by thousands of football fans heading to Germany to watch their teams compete at Euro 2024. London Stansted serves 10 German destinations, making all the tournament cities very accessible for England fans plus others based in the UK following their teams.

The airport also played host to Japan's Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako, who arrived on 22 June ahead of their three-day state visit to the UK, with the official welcoming party including London Stansted’s Operations Director, Nick Millar.

The top destinations during the month were Dublin, Istanbul and Palma, with the most popular countries being Spain, Italy and Germany.

Passenger numbers up 7% year on year at MAG airports

MAG is well-placed for a strong summer holiday season, as it celebrated surging passenger volumes and high levels of customer satisfaction last month.

In June, 6.3m passengers travelled through a MAG airport, which was 7% higher than the same month in 2023.

Rolling 12-month traffic figures show that the Group - which owns Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports - has served 62.6m passengers in the year to June 2024.

Manchester and London Stansted Airports continue to have record breaking months. Manchester Airport served serving 3m passengers in June - up 6.7% year-on- year. London Stansted welcomed 2.8m passengers across the month, a figure which was up 8.3% on June 2023.

East Midlands Airport served more than half a million passengers across June, up 3.1% year-on-year.

Operational performance across the Group remains strong, with 100% of passengers at East Midlands Airport passing through security in 15 minutes or less, with the figure standing at 97% at both Manchester and London Stansted Airports.

Passenger satisfaction levels also demonstrate the positive experiences travellers are having at MAG airports. In the first six months of the year, nine out of 10 passengers rated their experience as ‘Excellent’, ‘Very Good’, or ‘Good’.

Last week, MAG published its annual results, with the Group announcing it has served 61.3m passengers in the year ended 31 March 2024, alongside record revenues of £1.2bn. MAG is now embarking on an investment programme of £2bn over the next five years across the Group – including the completion of the Manchester Airport Transformation Programme in 2025.

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Jet2 to return of Iceland from London Stansted this winter.....

Those wanting to see the Northern Lights can take advantage of an expanded programme of flights to Iceland from London Stansted with Jet2 in winter 25/26.

The airline will fly twice-weekly (Wednesday and Sunday) to the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik, from 26 October to 16 November 2025 and 11 March to 5 April 2026.

This means stays are available at key periods during winter 25/26 including over the October half-term and February half-term holidays.

The flights from London Stansted provide customers with plenty of flexibility, as well as being perfectly timed for those wanting to see the Northern Lights and enjoy Iceland at its best.

Neringa Ohrstrom, Head of Brand and Marketing at London Stansted:   "Iceland is such a popular destination that holidaymakers will be delighted to see this route added by Jet2.com and Jet2holidays for winter 25/26. Reykjavik is a wonderful city break, with plenty to do and see, but it's the country's jaw-dropping natural wonders that make it a spectacular place to visit.”

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 and Jet2holidays, said:  “We are delighted to be announcing this exciting programme of scheduled services and once-in-a-lifetime trips to Iceland from London Stansted Airport for Winter 25/26. The programme has been put on sale early in response to the strong demand from customers and independent travel agents across the region, and it offers fantastic choice.

“The dazzling beauty of Iceland, coupled with the award-winning benefits available through Jet2CityBreaks, means we are confident that this programme will be another resounding success from London Stansted Airport, and we will see more customers than ever before visiting this breathtaking destination.”

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Emperor and Empress of Japan arrive ahead of state visit

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako arrived at London Stansted on Saturday, June 22, ahead of their three-day state visit to the UK.

They arrived on board a Japanese government Boeing 777-300 shortly after 5.30pm, where Viscount Brookeborough, Lord-in-Waiting, officially welcomed them on behalf of King Charles III.

The welcome party also included His Excellency Mr Hajime Hayashi, Ambassador of Japan, and London Stansted’s Operations Director, Nick Millar.

London Stansted’s Operations Director, Nick Millar, said:  “Having the Emperor and Empress of Japan arrive at London Stansted is an incredible honour for everyone involved at the airport. This type of visit always requires detailed planning and excellent collaboration between many different businesses and organisations. Being able to accommodate such flights while maintaining our normal busy flight operations is a testament to both our proven track record in hosting high-profile flights, and the airport's excellent layout and high-quality private facilities."  

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Two people arrested following break in at London Stansted Airport and planes damaged.

Two protesters have been arrested by Essex Police after they cut their way into the private aviation area of London Stansted Airport and dowsed two aircraft with orange paint.

A spokesperson for the airport said "Shortly after 5am, Essex Police arrested two protesters who had entered the private aviation area of the airfield, away from the runway and main passenger terminal.  - No flights were disrupted, and the airport and flights are operating as normal".

Essex Police said: "Officers were on the scene within minutes and detained two people.

The airport and flights are operating as normal.

A 22-year-old woman from Brighton, and a 28-year-old woman from Dumbarton, have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and interference with the use or operation of national infrastructure."

The climate protest group Just Stop Oil said they were targeting Taylor Swift's private jet which they said was at the airport ahead of the Wembley Stadium leg of her Eras Tour scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

However, it is understood that Taylor Swift's private aircraft was not at the airport and for security reasons, such as this latest incident, she doesn't use it when on tour.

A worker at the airport said the damage to the two aircraft could run into thousands due to the corrosive nature and non-airworthiness of the paint used by the protesters. 

The eco-terrorist group that want fossil fuels to be phased out by 2030 have promised a summer of resistance where they will attack other targets. Earlier this week members of the group covered some of the ancient stones of Stonehenge in orange paint powder.

A security review is underway at the airport and Essex Police will increase its presence at the airport for the summer due to a heightened risk. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said:  “I would like to reassure passengers and the wider public that we are well prepared and resourced to deal with incidents of this nature.

Almost immediately after we were made aware of this incident, which took place away from the main passenger terminal, we were on the scene.  We maintain a constant presence at the airport and this presence will be heightened over the summer period.  We have a good working relationship with Stansted Airport to ensure you can go about your travels with minimal impact. We are not anti-protest but we will always take action where criminal acts take place.”

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Four ski routes from London Stansted announce Jet2

The UK's leading holiday airline, Jet2 has just released details from its winter 25/26 programme from London Stansted featuring four top ski destinations. 

The carrier will operate flights to Chambery, Geneva, Grenoble and Salzburg from the airport next winter, giving skiers and snowboarders direct access to the French, Austrian and Swiss Alps. The airline says the flights will operate from December 2025 and throughout the winter season.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “The feedback from customers is that they are wanting to book ahead and secure their place on the slopes for next winter. We are always listening to our customers and responding to what they are telling us, so have put a fantastic ski programme on sale for winter 25/26 from London Stansted Airport.

With four ski destinations on sale, we are giving skiers and snowboarders the chance to book ahead and get access to some of the best ski resorts in Europe. Whether it is for a weekend, short break or longer, we are offering snow sports enthusiasts plenty of choice and flexibility to hit the slopes.

Skiers and snowboarders travelling with Jet2.com next winter can take advantage of our VIP customer service and 22kg of baggage and ski allowance and, for this reason, we expect our Winter 25/26 Ski programme to be a huge success.”

Image by Johnnie Shannon from Pixabay

Neringa Ohrstrom, Head of Brand and Marketing at London Stansted, said:  “The launch of Jet2.com’s winter 25/26 ski programme is great news for the airport and perfect for skiers who wish to visit the best resorts in the Alps. London Stansted offers more European destinations than any other UK airport flying to the finest ski areas across the continent, making it the ideal starting point for a wonderful winter sports holiday.”

The full ski programme from Jet2.com for winter 25/26 from London Stansted is as follows: