Stansted welcomes 25 million passengers in 12 months

Stansted has welcomed its 25 millionth passenger in the last year – a first for the UK’s fourth busiest airport.

CEO Andrew Cowan said the figure was a ‘fantastic achievement’ and ‘a clear reflection of the significant and sustained growth we have experienced at the airport in the four years under MAG’s ownership’.

"With over 190 destinations now available across our extensive and growing route network, and our busiest ever summer season well underway, we expect to welcome around 26.5 million passengers by the end of the financial year as even more passengers choose to fly from Stansted," he said.

To celebrate reaching the major landmark, two holidaymakers were surprised with free flights with Ryanair from Stansted.

Millie Hughes from Braintree and Thea Towers from Chelmsford were given a pair of return tickets with Ryanair to any destination on their route network when they checked in for their flight to Palma Majorca last Thursday morning.

Ryanair chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs, said: "As London Stansted’s largest airline, Ryanair is pleased to help the airport deliver record passenger numbers and celebrate carrying 25 million annual passengers the first time. 

"Since our first Stansted flight in 1989, Ryanair has carried over 230 million passengers through the airport and we currently offer over 140 Stansted routes.

"We look forward to continuing to grow our traffic and network at our largest airport base."

Pictured: Stansted head of external affairs Chris Wiggan with the flight ticket winners and Ryanair crew.