"London Stansted Airport"

London Stansted Airport revealed some strong milestones as they have a great June in terms of performance.

The airport had a great four week period last month, as we will detail in this article.

Without further ado, let’s get into it…

The Numbers from London Stansted Airport…

London Stansted Airport handled 2.8m passengers in June.

This was an increase of 8.3% compared to the same period last year.

During that month, the airport recorded it’s first ever 100,000+ plus passenger days, with 108,800 travelling through on June 28.

Operational performance was also strong at 97% of departing passengers passing through security in a 15 minute period.

Furthermore, London Stansted Airport passed the rolling 29 million passengers per year milestone for the first time in it’s history.

Millar: Busiest Ever June For The Operation…

Commenting on these huge milestones was Nick Millar, the airport’s Operations Director:

“To pass the 29 million passengers a year milestone for the first time in [the airport’s] history is a fantastic achievement, and testament to the extensive route network we offer, plus the reliability and efficiency of the airport’s terminal and airfield operation.

“Last month was the busiest ever June at Stansted, and the fourth busiest month ever at the airport, as we welcomed more than 2.8 million passengers, including many passengers and young families heading off on early summer holidays, tens of thousands of overseas visitors picking Stansted as their gateway to London and the East of England, plus scores of football fans setting off to the Euros.

“For the first time ever, we also recorded two 100,000 plus days in June, something that has only previously happened at the peak in August.”

“But thanks to the hard work and dedication of all our colleagues, and close collaboration with our partners across the airport, we were able to ensure that even on those busiest of days, our passengers experienced a smooth and easy journey through the terminal.”

“As we now ramp up to the main summer getaway, we know demand will increase and even more passengers will be choosing to fly from the airport, so we remain fully focused on doing all we can to get everyone’s journey off to the best possible start when flying from London Stansted.”

Overall…

In conclusion, the airport had a great month in June, and this is expected to continue further.

From ad-hoc flights for the EUROS 2024 tournament, to general busy Summer demand, the airport is positioned well.

All eyes will be on the July numbers to see what that looks like as we approach the school holidays period.

But for now, all eyes are on the airport to see what the rest of the busy period looks like for them.

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London Stansted Airport has continued to defy the industry challenges posed by the pandemic and subsequent recovery era.

Welcoming more than 2.6 million passengers in September, it has not only surpassed pre-pandemic passenger volumes but has also emerged as a significant catalyst for tourism in the UK.

September Surge

September 2023 marked an impressive milestone for London Stansted Airport, with a 10% increase in passenger numbers compared to the same month the previous year.

What’s even more striking is that it has now outperformed its September 2019 figures, further solidifying its position as a thriving hub for travelers.

This winning combination of choice and efficiency continues to draw passengers from not only London but also the entire East of England region.

With an impressive array of European routes, Stansted has made the UK accessible to countless travelers who previously had to rely on larger city airports.

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Boosting International Tourism

Stansted’s remarkable performance isn’t just good news for the airport; it’s also playing a pivotal role in revitalizing international tourism in the capital.

The airport’s success story supports the return of international visitors to London, which is a crucial aspect of the city’s economic revival.

Over the 12 months ending in September 2023, London Stansted served a staggering 27.3 million passengers.

This impressive figure represents a remarkable increase of 32.2% compared to the previous year, demonstrating the airport’s relentless commitment to passenger satisfaction.

Streamlined Operations

Efficiency is clearly the name of the game at London Stansted. With a remarkable 99% of passengers passing through security in just 15 minutes or less, and average queue times of less than four minutes during peak departure hours, the airport is setting a new standard for passenger convenience.

Stansted’s reputation as the leading UK airport for direct flights to Europe is well-deserved. The top three most popular countries for travelers in September were Spain, Italy, and Turkey.

Additionally, the busiest individual routes were Istanbul, Dublin, and Palma De Mallorca. This underscores the airport’s pivotal role in connecting the UK with European destinations.

Message from the Managing Director

Gareth Powell, the Managing Director of London Stansted, expressed his pride in the airport’s role in enhancing travel opportunities.

He emphasized the airport’s dedication to serving unique destinations and providing great value flights in a convenient and easily accessible location.

The Tourism Gateway to London

Powell also highlighted that Stansted is the second busiest airport for visitors to London. Its extensive European route network offers passengers from Spain, Italy, and France unparalleled access to the UK, bypassing the need to travel to larger city airports and providing a direct gateway to London.

The airport’s focus on delivering value, a diverse range of destinations, and a reliable and efficient operational experience has proven irresistibly attractive to passengers.

This winning formula has been the driving force behind Stansted’s continued growth throughout the summer and early autumn seasons.

An Optimistic Outlook

Muniya Barua, Deputy Chief Executive at BusinessLDN, shed light on the broader context. She pointed out that the demand for international travel has rebounded significantly following the challenges of the pandemic.

London’s status as a tourism gateway is thriving, and the strong growth in passenger numbers at London Stansted and other airports is a testament to this.

Barua also highlighted the campaign to restore VAT-free shopping for international visitors, which could further boost overseas tourism and, in turn, stimulate the UK economy.

As London Stansted continues to flourish, the airport is poised to play a pivotal role in this economic revival.

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This year, London Stansted’s runway turns 80 years old as the airport celebrates how far it has come since the days of World War II.

Opening in 1943, what was known as George Washington Field began operations as an American military base during the middle of World War II.

The airfield quickly became the 9th largest U.S. Air Force base in East Anglia, and it was home to four B-26 Marauder squadrons from the 344th Bomb Group, known as the “Silver Streaks”.

Interestingly, the airfield didn’t actually become fully operational until the Summer of 1943. However, it had already seen its first unexpected visitor back in February of that same year when an RAF Short Sterling bomber made an emergency landing due to damage suffered during an air raid.

George Washington Field went on to play a major part in the D-Day raids a year later when the Silver Streaks led 600 aircraft over the landing beaches in Normandy, France, as they participated in the mammoth operation.

The bomb group flew a total of 140 missions from the airfield until they relocated to France in 1944 after D-Day.

Once the war was over, the airport was handed over to the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority), and it became a civilian airport.

Post-War life until today

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Between the end of the war and today, Stansted has grown to become a formidable airport in the region.

Indeed, the airport is now the third busiest airport in London and the 4th busiest in the UK.

In 1950, the runway was extended to its current length of 3,048 meters, and in recent months, it has recently undergone a mammoth maintenance overhaul, with over 50,000 tonnes of Asphalt laid and 700 runway lights replaced during the 5-month long project.

As far as operations are concerned, Stansted has grown to become what some may call a “low-cost hub,” with the likes of Ryanair, Jet 2, and TUI holding huge presences at the airport alongside a variety of other low-cost airlines such as easyJet, Wideroe, and Pegasus.

Despite this unofficial title, this hasn’t stopped Stansted from making full use of its capabilities as the Essex airport is also home to a double Daily Emirates flight to Dubai, connecting it to the world effortlessly through the middle eastern giant’s hub.

In addition, Stansted also has a significant cargo airline presence with the likes of UPS, DHL, FedEx, Asiana Cargo, China Southern Cargo, and others servicing the airport daily.

Still connecting with its former U.S Air Force past

Despite being a full-time commercial airport, Stansted has continued to connect with its former American self by holding host to the U.S. president and Air Force One on 7 separate occasions since 2008.

On top of this, London Stansted regularly sees military operations from not just the USAF but also from the likes of the United Arab Emirates Air Force, Kuwait Air Force, Royal Air Force, and more.

Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s managing director, was present to comment on the anniversary of the airport’s runway, “Stansted is very proud of its past and the critical role the airfield played during World War Two as a U.S Air Force base.”

“It’s amazing to now look back and acknowledge those early efforts have ultimately culminated in the Stansted Airport we see today.”

“Back then, US engineers would have been unaware that thanks to their skill and expertise, Stansted would 80 years later be one of the busiest airports in the country, serving over 26 million passengers a year through one of the world’s most iconic terminal buildings”.

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London Stansted Airport is benefitting from major routes being announced as the Summer 2023 season ramps up.

This also comes ahead of the Easter half-term break, where many are due to go abroad during this period.

Without further ado, let’s get into it…

New Routes for London Stansted Airport…

On March 26, Ryanair started off proceedings with its new thrice-weekly service to Newquay, with Norwegian carrier Wideroe beginning twice-weekly services to Bergen.

Then, on March 30, Jet2 began services to Athens and Rome.

London Stansted Airport has also noted some other flights that will be beginning over the course of the Summer 2023 season:

• Ryanair
  • Belfast
  • Edinburgh
  • Asturias
  • Klagenfurt
  • Leipzig
• Emirates
  • Second Daily Dubai flight.

Neringa Ohrstrom, the Head of Brand & Marketing for the Airport, said the following on this:

“London Stansted was the fastest recovering major airport in the UK in 2022, serving over 23 million passengers, and with more new routes joining the departure boards, we’re set for a very busy and exciting summer.    

“The weekend marked the start of the summer season for the industry, and we were delighted to launch two brand new routes to Newquay and Bergen.

“Rome and Athens flights will begin this week with Jet2, and there are several other new routes coming up, including Belfast, Edinburgh, Asturias, Klagenfurt, and Leipzig flights operated by Ryanair.

“While Stansted is the leading airport in the UK for connections to Europe, it’s also really exciting to be expanding our long-haul network even further with a second daily flight to Dubai in May.”

Nearing Pre-Pandemic Movement Numbers…

Data provided by RadarBox highlights that London Stansted Airport isn’t far away from achieving pre-pandemic movement statistics.

For March 26-April 2, the airport achieved 536 movements, which represents an increase of 3.28% compared to the same period last year and is only 11 movements short of 2019 numbers.

Below is the last four weeks’ worth of data for the airport:

What the data highlights are that London Stansted could potentially exceed pre-pandemic numbers as we get further into the Summer 2023 season.

Overall…

It remains clear that the airport is just about to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Summer 2023 season will help contribute to that.

With it expected to be the busiest period in the history books, this will be something that the airport will want to capitalize on moving forward.

Also, because capacity constraints within London Heathrow continue to emerge, this is also a good opportunity to secure some more market share.

For now, all eyes are on London Stansted Airport to see what is next and how the Summer will go.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) latest annual Airport Accessibility report has shed light on significant improvements in UK airports accessibility levels.

The report notably shows standards increasing with no airports are currently ranked in the lowest category. 11 airports rated ‘very good’ between April 2023 to March 2024, although mixed progress was reported across the country.

The UK regulator says that airports must do more to improve the experience of disabled passengers and ensure air travel accessibility for all, especially as demand for accessibility services continues to rise.

Overall Progress to Date

For the first time since 2020, no UK airport received a ‘poor’ rating for their accessibility performance.

This milestone underscores the effectiveness of the CAA’s Airport Accessibility Framework, established a decade ago to drive improvements in accommodating passengers with reduced mobility and disabilities.

The report evaluated airports with annual passenger volumes exceeding 150,000, categorizing them into ‘Very Good’, ‘Good’, and ‘Needs Improvement’ ratings. The results paint an encouraging picture:

– 11 airports achieved ‘Very Good’ ratings

– 12 airports were rated ‘Good’

– Only 5 airports fell into the ‘Needs Improvement’ category

This distribution demonstrates substantial progress in the sector’s commitment to accessibility.

UK Airports: Standout Performers

Several airports have shown exceptional dedication to accessibility:

– Belfast City and City of Derry maintained their ‘Very Good’ status, exceeding targets consistently.

– Cornwall Newquay, East Midlands, Glasgow Prestwick, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted, Newcastle, and Teesside all achieved ‘Very Good’ ratings.

– Glasgow (pictured above) retained its top-tier rating from the previous year.

– Southampton significantly improved its services, elevating its rating to ‘Very Good’.

These airports serve as benchmarks for the industry, showcasing best practices in accessibility services.

Notable Improvements

London Heathrow’s progress from ‘Needs Improvement’ to ‘Good’ is particularly noteworthy. As one of the world’s busiest airports, Heathrow’s investment in a significant number of accessibility support staff demonstrates the impact of targeted improvements.

Other major hubs like Aberdeen, Birmingham, Edinburgh, London City, and Manchester maintained their ‘Good’ rankings, indicating consistent performance in accessibility services.

Challenges Remain

While the overall trend is positive, the report highlights some concerns:

Increased demand for accessibility services has led to a decline in passenger satisfaction at some airports. The need for continued investment in staffing and equipment was highlighted, particularly during off-peak seasons.

These challenges underscore the importance of proactive planning and resource allocation to meet growing accessibility needs.

Despite overall progress, the report identifies airports still requiring enhancement:

– Bristol, London Gatwick, Cardiff Wales, Liverpool, and Norwich remain in the ‘Needs Improvement’ category.

These airports present opportunities for focused efforts to elevate their accessibility standards.

UK Airports: Future Outlook

The CAA’s approach combines transparency, collaboration, and accountability to drive accessibility improvements. Key focus areas for the future include:

– Targeted support for airports in the ‘needs improvement’ category.

– Encouraging winter investments in staffing and equipment.

– Continued refinement of assessment methodologies.

– Broader implementation of the new airline accessibility framework.

The latest CAA report on UK airports accessibility reveals significant progress in making UK air travel more inclusive.

The absence of ‘Poor’ ratings and the increase in ‘Very Good’ and ‘Good’ ratings demonstrate the effectiveness of the CAA’s framework and the industry’s continued commitment to improvement.

However, challenges remain, particularly in meeting growing demand for accessibility services and maintaining high standards across all airports. As the aviation sector continues to recover and grow post-pandemic, maintaining focus on accessibility will be crucial.

The CAA’s multifaceted approach, combining rigorous assessment, stakeholder engagement, and transparent reporting, provides a solid foundation for continued progress.

By addressing current challenges and building on successes, the UK aviation industry can work towards a future where air travel is truly accessible for all passengers, regardless of their mobility or disability status.

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