Stansted Given Expansion Go-Ahead

A planned expansion of Stansted Airport has been given the green light by the Government. Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has given the go-ahead for the airport to accommodate an additional 10 million passengers. The governments backing has angered environmentalists and overruled the local authority, Uttlesford District Council, who originally vetoed the plan.

In a move deemed ‘environmentally disastrous’ by campaign groups, the amount of flights from Stansted will increase from 241,000 to 264,000, cementing Stansted’s position as the second biggest airport in the country, alongside Gatwick, and behind Heathrow. The increase will mean Stansted will be capable of taking 35 million passengers a year by 2015 on its single runway.

Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said: 

“Ministers like to talk green, but their actions show they are only too willing to increase carbon emissions. This is particularly bad news for people living near Stansted, who seemingly do not count in the Government's reckoning.”

"It clearly shows Geoff Hoon is no friend of the environment."

The Governments backing for the Stansted expansion will give further hope to BAA that Heathrow will be granted permission to add a third runway – a decision expected to be announced in the next few months. BAA will also be hopeful of more good news for Stansted airport as a decision on a controversial second runway is due to be announced next year – a positive response would mean Stansted can increase its capacity up to 68 million passengers a year by 2030.