Stansted one of Europe’s fastest growing airports for direct flights
London Stansted has been named as one of the top five European airports registering the highest growth in direct flight connectivity over the past five years.
The latest Airports Council International (ACI) Europe annual Airport Industry Connectivity Report shows that Stansted recorded a 43% increase in the number of direct flights since 2013, the year it was bought by MAG.
This rate of growth placed Stansted fifth in the list of large airports – those serving over 25 million passengers a year – experiencing the most rapid growth during the period.
Key direct destinations added in the last 12 months include Dubai, New York, Boston, Toronto, Tel Aviv, Frankfurt, Reykjavik and Corsica.
CEO, Ken O’Toole said: "In the five years since MAG acquired Stansted, annual passenger numbers have increased by nearly 10 million to in excess of 26 million a year driven by a 25% increase in the number of destinations served (over 190) and a doubling of the number of airlines using the airport (22).
"Stansted is the best-connected UK airport for flights to Europe and the latest ACI connectivity report is clear recognition that we are achieving our aim to provide even more choice of direct and convenient air travel for the East of England and London catchment we serve.
"During 2018 we have already extended our route network with new long-haul flights now available to Dubai with Emirates in addition to Primera Air’s services to New York, Boston, Toronto that will soon be joined by direct flights to Washington DC later this summer. We’re also working hard to add more destinations, including services to China, India and the west coast of the USA.
"This year we will be the fastest growing major London airport and with limited spare capacity at other airports in the South East, Stansted will deliver 50% of London’s expected passenger growth over the next decade."
Stansted has applied to increase its capacity to 43 million passengers a year. It is also investing £600 million on passenger facilities.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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