London Stansted has stepped up its expansion plans by submitting a planning application to allow it to cater for up to 51 million passengers per year.

Stansted, which is part of Manchester Airports Group (MAG), catered for just under 30 million passengers in 2024 and currently has permission for up to 43 million passengers per year. It is the fourth busiest airport in the UK after London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester.

The airport has applied to Uttlesford District Council to allow it to increase the limit 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,¡± said Stansted in a statement.

The airport has already secured planning permission?to extend its terminal by 16,500 square metres, which forms part of a five-year ?1.1 billion investment programme at Stansted by MAG.

Stansted said approval of its new application would allow it to make further investments such as taking on another 4,500 staff, enhancing nearby roads, improving the Stansted Express train service to London, and powering airport infrastructure by 100 per cent renewable energy.

Gareth Powell, Stansted¡¯s managing director, added:?¡°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.¡±