The Mercedes-Benz eCitaro is operating between the airport's long-stay car park and terminal. It replaces the existing diesel vehicle used on the route.

The month-long trial will help National Express and London Stansted understand how electric bus technology performs in a busy airport environment.

The shuttle service travels around 180 miles each day, making it an ideal route to test the vehicle's performance, reliability and charging requirements.

During the trial, the bus will be powered using electricity from renewable sources at the airport.

Rafael Fernandez, Managing Director at National Express, said:

“We’re committed to exploring more sustainable ways of delivering passenger transport for our airport partners, and this trial is an important step in understanding where battery-electric technology can work effectively on a high-demand service pattern

“Over the course of the trial we’ll be looking closely at the vehicle’s performance, energy use and charging requirements, alongside feedback from passengers and our operational teams.

"The findings will help us understand the practical considerations for introducing battery-electric vehicles in this particular operating environment.”

Nick Millar, Operations Director at London Stansted, said:

"We're pleased to support this trial with National Express, which will help us better understand how battery-electric bus technology performs in a busy airport environment.

"The long-stay shuttle service is an ideal route to test the operational requirements of electric vehicles, and the insights gained will help inform future decisions as we continue working towards our net zero carbon ambitions."

Following the trial, National Express and London Stansted will review the findings and use the results to help inform future decisions on the deployment of battery-electric vehicles across airport transport operations.

Councillor Peter Harris, Leader of Essex County Council, joined senior colleagues on a visit to London Stansted to discuss the proposed expansion and see first-hand how the specialist college is helping develop the aviation workforce of the future.

The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the next phase of development at the aviation, engineering and STEM college, which opened on the airport campus in 2018 and has become one of the UK's leading centres for aviation skills training.

Earlier this month, Harlow College and London Stansted submitted a planning application for the proposed expansion.

If approved, student numbers would increase from 568 to around 1,350, creating opportunities for hundreds more young people to train for careers in aviation and related industries.

The plans include a new two-storey teaching building containing 12 classrooms, a workshop and hangar building, a covered courtyard and an expanded Aerozone education centre featuring a viewing platform.

The first phase of development, which includes the workshop, hangar and covered courtyard, is expected to open in September 2027.

During the visit, councillors also toured the airport and received an update on London Stansted's ongoing transformation programme, which is improving facilities for passengers and preparing the airport for future growth.

As the largest single employment site in the East of England, London Stansted supports tens of thousands of jobs and plays a vital role in connecting Essex businesses and communities with markets across Europe and beyond.

Councillor Peter Harris, Leader of Essex County Council, said:

“This visit was an opportunity to reaffirm our £5 million investment in the expansion of Stansted Airport College, helping create more training places and providing local people with a pathway into highly skilled careers.

"It marks my commitment as Leader to unlock growth, create opportunities and deliver projects that have been in development stage for some time.

"By strengthening our partnership with Stansted Airport and Harlow College, we are investing in our future skills pipeline, helping local people gain valuable qualifications, while providing businesses with the talent they need to grow.

“Stansted Airport is one of Essex’s most important economic assets, supporting jobs, connectivity, tourism and investment.

"Through the expansion of training capacity at the college by more than 500 places, Essex residents and local businesses will be at the forefront of the opportunities that follow.

"The success of Stansted Airport College demonstrates what can be achieved when local government, education providers and employers work together around a shared ambition.”

Gareth Powell, Managing Director of London Stansted, said:

"We were delighted to welcome leaders from Essex County Council to the airport and thank them for their continued support for Stansted Airport College.

"The council's £5 million commitment is a major vote of confidence in a college that has exceeded expectations since opening and has become hugely popular with students looking to build careers in aviation, engineering and other technical industries.

"There is strong demand for the courses on offer and this expansion will enable hundreds more young people from across Essex and the wider region to gain the skills, qualifications and experience employers are looking for.

"This investment reflects our shared ambition to create more opportunities for local people, support economic growth and ensure the region has the skilled workforce needed for the future.

"Skills, connectivity and infrastructure investment are all closely linked, and together they help drive prosperity across Essex and the East of England."

Karen Spencer, Principal and Chief Executive of Harlow College, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to Essex County Council for this significant investment in the future of Stansted Airport College and, most importantly, in the young people of Essex.

“Since opening in 2018, the college has gone from strength to strength, and demand from young people wanting to pursue careers in aviation, engineering and STEM continues to grow.

"This expansion will allow us to create opportunities for hundreds more students, while developing the specialist facilities needed to prepare them for highly skilled careers.

“The success of Stansted Airport College has always been built on strong partnership between education, employers and the airport.

"Essex County Council’s £5 million commitment is a fantastic endorsement of that approach and of our shared ambition to ensure local young people can access the skills and careers being created right here on their doorstep.”

The visit also explored opportunities for further collaboration between the airport and Essex County Council on programmes that support skills development, employment and economic growth across the county.

The NEETs Mentoring Circle, run by the airport's Stansted Airport Academy in partnership with Harlow Jobcentre Plus, is a three-month pilot scheme aimed at helping around 30 young people develop employability skills and explore future career opportunities.

The first session brought together 12 young people from Harlow. Participants took part in mentoring sessions, skills workshops and employer-led activities designed to build confidence, raise aspirations and improve job prospects.

They also received practical support with CV writing, cover letters and interview preparation, while learning about the wide range of careers available at the airport. London Stansted is the largest single-site employer in the East of England, supporting thousands of jobs across hundreds of businesses.

Through its Stansted Airport Academy, the airport works with schools, colleges, job centres and local authorities to help people access training and employment opportunities.

Jennie Crossling, Senior Education and Employment Manager at London Stansted, said:

"Many of the young people attending the programme arrived with low confidence and limited awareness of the opportunities available to them. By the end of the session, around 80 per cent rated their confidence at seven or eight out of 10.

"Our aim is to show them that there are exciting careers available right on their doorstep and to give them the confidence, skills and support they need to take those next steps.

"The response from the first group has been really encouraging and we're looking forward to seeing how participants progress over the coming months."

Cheryl Crane, Operations Leader at the Department for Work and Pensions, said:

"It was great to sit in and observe the first part of the session. Stansted staff engaged exceptionally well with the young people through open, interactive questions, creating a welcoming and supportive environment.

"I was also really pleased to see such an excellent turnout, with 12 young people attending. Hopefully, they will take the next step and make contact with Stansted to access the ongoing support available and help kick-start their careers within the airport and aviation sector.”

Emma Middleton, Work Coach at the Department for Work and Pensions, said:

"The session was engaging from start to finish, with learners actively participating and responding throughout. The practical advice on CVs and cover letters was invaluable, and the personalised support during breakout sessions helped individuals grow in confidence.

"The feedback from claimants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many saying they learned a lot and really enjoyed the experience."

The programme forms part of the airport's wider commitment to supporting local communities and helping create pathways into employment and aims to support 25,000 young people through its education and skills programmes by 2030.

Hundreds of people came together to deliver the record day, which was 20 July, during Stansted’s busiest ever month, when more than 3.1 million passengers travelled through the airport as families headed off on their summer holidays.  

July also saw a record 8,977 departing passenger flights operate from Stansted, the highest monthly total in the airport’s history.  

For passengers, the record-breaking day may have simply meant a busy terminal and full flights, but behind the scenes a huge and carefully coordinated operation was under way to keep almost 700 aircraft movements running safely and efficiently.  

The result was the culmination of meticulous planning stretching back almost a year, when airlines build their schedules around the airport’s available capacity. 

Once the day arrives, that plan relies on hundreds of people across the airport working together to deliver it safely and efficiently.  

At a single-runway airport, the runway is effectively like a conveyor belt, with aircraft landing and taking off in carefully coordinated succession.  

Air traffic controllers play a crucial role, sequencing departures to make the most efficient use of the runway while ensuring the correct spacing between arriving aircraft.   

On the ground, teams work to keep aircraft turnaround times to a minimum, with ground crews carrying out highly choreographed ‘pit stop’ turnarounds to get aircraft ready for their next flight and keep the schedule on track.  

Flight crews also play their part, arriving at the right speed and using the runway for the minimum time possible, helping to maintain the flow of aircraft throughout the day.  

From air traffic controllers and airfield teams to airlines, security staff and ground handlers, hundreds of people worked together throughout the day to keep aircraft moving and passengers on their way.  

Nick Millar, Operations Director at London Stansted, said:  

“National Aviation Day is a great opportunity to recognise the people who make the UK’s aviation industry work every day, and our busiest day ever is a perfect example of the scale of that operation.  

“Handling 693 aircraft movements in a single day is a fantastic achievement and reflects the hard work of hundreds of people across the airport and the careful planning that goes into making a day like this possible.  

“The planning starts almost a year in advance, when schedules are built around the capacity we have available. Then, on the day itself, it takes constant coordination between our air traffic controllers, airlines, flight crews, ground teams and everyone else across the airport to turn that plan into reality. 

“Most passengers don’t see that side of the operation, but it takes a huge amount of planning, precision and teamwork to manage an airport of this scale, especially during the busy summer period.  

“As Europe’s busiest single terminal, single runway airport, every aircraft movement needs to be carefully managed, and we’re proud of how our teams and partners came together to deliver a safe and efficient operation on our busiest day ever.”  

London Stansted serves more European destinations than any other UK airport and operates flights to more than 200 destinations across Europe, the Middle East and beyond.

National Aviation Day is marked annually on 19 August and celebrates the history, development and achievements of aviation, coinciding with the birthday of aviation pioneer Orville Wright.

The airport, which recently recorded its busiest-ever month after welcoming more than 3.1 million passengers in July, offers direct flights to more than 200 destinations across Europe and beyond.

For families looking for some last-minute inspiration, here are five destinations that combine sunshine, beaches and plenty to keep children entertained before September arrives.

1. Majorca, Spain

Best for: Classic family beach holidays.

Golden beaches, family-friendly resorts and plenty of sunshine continue to make Majorca one of the most popular destinations for Stansted passengers.

2. Sardinia, Italy

Best for: Exploring somewhere new.

Sardinia combines stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters and picturesque coastal towns. Families can now fly direct to Olbia thanks to BA CityFlyer's new service from Stansted.

3. Dalaman, Turkey

Best for: Guaranteed sunshine.

With warm weather, all-inclusive resorts and a beautiful coastline, Dalaman remains a favourite with families looking for a hassle-free summer break.

Turkey remains one of the most popular countries served from London Stansted.

4. Kos, Greece

Best for: Active family adventures.

Kos offers sandy beaches, cycling routes and plenty of opportunities to get out and explore.

The Greek island is now easier to reach than ever, with TUI now operating direct flights from Stansted.

5. Sicily, Italy

Best for: Food, culture and adventure

From the historic streets of Catania to the dramatic scenery of Mount Etna, Sicily offers a family holiday with a little bit of everything.

Italy is Stansted's best-served country, with flights to 30 destinations across the country.

Ciaran Brannigan, Commercial Director at London Stansted, said:

"For families still looking to get away before the summer holidays end, there's plenty of choice from London Stansted. From Spain and Greece to Turkey and Italy, we offer direct flights to more than 200 destinations across Europe and beyond."

The monthly total was up 6.3% on July last year and set a new all-time monthly record that beat the previous high of August 2025.

The airport's rolling annual passenger total now stands at 30.5m, an increase of 1.8% on the previous 12 months.

The airport also saw daily passenger numbers top 100,000 on 18 days during July, the most in any individual month at Stansted.

The record-breaking month saw demand soar as families headed away for the summer holidays, with many passengers taking advantage of Stansted's extensive European network to enjoy short breaks as well as longer holidays.

Spain, Italy and Turkey were the most popular countries served from the airport during July, while Istanbul, Dublin and Majorca topped the list of busiest individual routes.

Gareth Powell, Managing Director of London Stansted, said:

"July was a real landmark month for London Stansted with more than 3.1 million passengers choosing to travel through the airport for the first time in our history.

"These record-breaking figures reflect the strength of our route network and the choice, value and convenience we offer passengers.

"Whether it's a family holiday, a city break, visiting friends and family or a business trip, Stansted continues to provide access to more destinations than ever before.

"We're also seeing some changing travel habits, with many people now taking a number of shorter breaks over the summer rather than one longer holiday.

"Our extensive European network is perfectly placed to meet that demand, giving passengers great choice across the continent.

"At the same time, long-haul connectivity from Stansted has been boosted with Emirates recently returning to double-daily flights between London Stansted and Dubai, allowing more people to connect onwards to 140 global destinations.

"And we're continuing to invest and work with our partners to provide even more choice and enhance the passenger experience at the airport.

“July saw the start of a trial of overnight Friday services on the Stansted Express, which has been very well received by passengers, and just last week we announced the appointment of Farrans to build our new Skylink walkways, marking the next major phase of our transformation programme as we continue to deliver new facilities for passengers."

To mark the occasion, one lucky customer on EK66, Jeanne Fostel, received an upgrade to Business Class and an Emirates Skywards Gold membership, providing access to a range of premium travel benefits including complimentary lounge access, additional baggage allowance, complimentary seat selection and bonus Skywards Miles. 

Eleven additional passengers on the same flight were also upgraded to Emirates Skywards Silver membership, unlocking benefits including complimentary Business Class Lounge access in Dubai, extra baggage allowance and bonus Skywards Miles.

Over the past eight years, London Stansted has become an important gateway within Emirates’ UK network, connecting customers from London and the surrounding regions of Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridge, and East Anglia with Dubai.

Once in Dubai, customers can seamlessly connect with to up to 52 destinations across Emirates’ network across Asia, Africa and Australia. 

Dubai is the final destination for around 30% of customers travelling from London Stansted, while the remaining 70% connect onwards through Emirates’ Dubai hub, with popular end destinations including India, Australia, Thailand, and Mauritius.

Following the popularity of the once-daily service launched in 2018, Emirates scaled its operations within a year, introducing a second daily service to offer customers greater choice and convenience.

Today, Emirates operates its two daily services between London Stansted and Dubai using its four-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, offering First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class cabins.

Emirates has also remained committed to investing in its products and services at the London gateway. The airline introduced Premium Economy at Stansted as part of its multi-billion dollar retrofit programme last year, with customers able to experience the award-winning cabin on both daily flights. 

The airline also opened its dedicated 900-square-meter lounge at the gateway in 2024, representing an investment of more than GBP 4 million. The lounge can accommodate up to 125 guests, including First and Business Class customers, as well as Emirates Skywards members.

Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said:

“Celebrating two million passengers flying with Emirates through London Stansted is a fantastic milestone and underlines the strength of our partnership and the huge demand for direct international connectivity from across the East of England and London. 

"Since launching in 2018, Emirates has opened up a world of opportunities for leisure travellers and businesses alike, connecting our region directly to Dubai and, through its extensive global network, destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Africa and beyond. 

"The opening of Emirates’ world-class lounge in 2024 further strengthened the passenger experience and demonstrated the airline’s commitment to the airport and the region. 

"We’re incredibly proud of the success of our strong and growing relationship and look forward to welcoming millions more Emirates passengers through London Stansted in the years ahead.”

Jabr Al-Azeeby, Emirates’ divisional vice president, UK, said:

“Welcoming our two millionth passenger at London Stansted is a significant milestone for the UK market, and reflects the sustained demand for our services since we launched operations to Stansted in 2018. 

"Stansted provides convenient access to Emirates’ global network for both leisure and business travellers, while our cargo operations also support businesses and industries across the region with greater export options to the rest of the world. 

"We thank London Stansted airport for the valued partnership, and look forward to welcoming many more travellers onboard in the years ahead."

In addition to belly hold in Emirates’ passenger aircraft, the airline also operates a weekly freighter out of Stansted, further contributing to the route’s success. Emirates SkyCargo transports around 25,000 tonnes of cargo in and out of London Stansted each year, including pharmaceuticals, high-value goods, medical equipment, and industrial machinery.

The new skylinks are an integral feature of the airport’s transformation programme, creating new walkways to directly connect the terminal to existing satellite buildings that are home to the departure and arrival gates.

The addition of the skylinks will enable Stansted’s track transit people mover system to be decommissioned, creating the space for the terminal building to be extended towards the airfield in later phases of the transformation work.

The centrepiece of the programme is a three-bay extension to the existing terminal that will transform the customer experience. It adds 16,500m2 of space, creating a bright spacious environment with new shops, bars and restaurants, making Stansted the biggest single terminal airport in Europe.

The skylinks will feature passenger travelators and allow for assistance buggies to take passengers with reduced mobility on the full journey between the terminal and the arrival and departure gates.

Work will begin later this summer with pre-assembly of skylink sections taking place ‘offsite’ in a vacant airport hangar on the northside of the airfield.

This method of construction will save time, and by reducing working at height, creates a safer working environment, as well as reducing congestion in busy airport operational areas

Once each section is completed, they will be transported overnight from the construction hangar across the airfield on self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) to minimise disruption to the airport’s operation.

Rob Stewart, London Stansted’s Capital Delivery Programme Director, said:

“We’re delighted to continue our strong and successful partnership with Farrans at London Stansted having successfully worked with the team through the design, planning and enabling phases of the skylinks project, a vital component in our overall transformation programme.

“We now move to the construction phase of the work, where Farran’s expertise and experience of delivering airport projects in busy operational environments will be invaluable.

“The airport continues to welcome record numbers of passengers so together with our delivery partners we are really building momentum on our transformation programme that will deliver new passenger facilities, support growth and unlock capacity on our existing single runway.

Glenn Gilmore, Regional Director at Farrans, said:

“Passengers arriving to London Stansted will already be able to see that we are mobilising our site in preparation for main works to begin during this exciting period of transformation for the airport.

“Construction in aviation environments comes with many unique challenges including making sure that our clients’ business operations can continue 24/7 with minimal disruption every day. We are specialists in managing these tricky interfaces with our extensive experience on site at numerous other UK airports.

“We will be collaborating closely with our clients and their operations team as we deliver this important project to support passenger number growth at London Stansted.”

While popular hotspots continue to attract huge numbers of visitors, there are plenty of lesser-known destinations offering beautiful beaches, rich culture, incredible food and exceptional value, all easily accessible with direct flights from London Stansted.

Whether holidaymakers are seeking sunshine, adventure or a relaxing city break, these five hidden gems deserve a place on every last-minute travel list.

1. Gdańsk, Poland

One of the Baltic’s most captivating cities, Gdańsk blends centuries of history with a vibrant waterfront atmosphere. Visitors can wander the colourful streets of the beautifully restored Old Town, explore the city's maritime heritage, relax on the sandy beaches of nearby Sopot, or enjoy the cafés, restaurants and bars lining the Motława River. Rich in culture and offering excellent value, Gdańsk is an ideal destination for travellers looking for a city break with easy access to the coast.

Perfect for: History lovers, culture seekers and weekend explorers.

2. Kalamata, Greece

Often overshadowed by Greece’s more famous islands, Kalamata on the mainland offers authentic Greek hospitality, golden beaches and spectacular mountain scenery. Located in the Peloponnese, the city is renowned for its world-famous olives, vibrant waterfront promenade and easy access to hidden villages, ancient ruins and unspoilt coastline.

Perfect for: Foodies, families and those looking for a more authentic Greek experience.

3. Brno, Czech Republic

For those seeking a cultural city break without the crowds, Brno is one of Central Europe’s most underrated destinations. Home to impressive architecture, lively cafés, underground tunnels and a thriving food and drink scene, the Czech Republic’s second-largest city offers exceptional value alongside a relaxed atmosphere.

Perfect for: Weekend explorers, food lovers and culture enthusiasts.

4. Perugia, Italy

Set among the rolling hills of Umbria, Perugia offers everything travellers love about Italy without the overwhelming tourist numbers. Medieval streets, panoramic viewpoints, artisan chocolate shops and traditional trattorias make this hilltop city an unforgettable escape. It’s also an excellent gateway to vineyards, picturesque villages and the beautiful Lake Trasimeno.

Perfect for: Couples, food lovers and slow-travel enthusiasts.

5. Santander, Spain

Located on Spain’s northern coast, Santander offers a refreshing alternative to the Mediterranean. Elegant architecture, sweeping sandy beaches, scenic coastal walks and outstanding seafood combine to create an ideal destination for those looking to escape the summer crowds while still enjoying warm weather.

Perfect for: Beach lovers, walkers and culinary connoisseur.

As many holidaymakers increasingly seek unique experiences over more crowded tourist hotspots, these destinations offer the opportunity to enjoy authentic local culture, excellent cuisine and memorable adventures without compromising on convenience.

With direct departures from London Stansted, each destination makes an ideal choice for spontaneous summer holidays, whether for a long weekend or an extended escape.

Neringa Ohrstrom, Head of Marketing at London Stansted, said:

"Whether you're looking for a relaxing beach escape, a cultural city break or somewhere a little different this summer, London Stansted offers an incredible range of destinations to suit every type of traveller.

“From the historic streets of Gdańsk and Brno to the stunning coastlines of Kalamata and Santander, and the timeless charm of Perugia, our extensive network gives passengers more choice than ever when planning a last-minute getaway."

Following a record-breaking 2025, Stansted has continued its strong start to the year with a bumper June that saw passenger volumes up 3.4% year-on-year at 2.88m, and the busiest June on record.

It is now expecting more than 6.5m passengers to pass through the terminal during the peak summer months.

And the airport is accelerating work on its transformation programme that will deliver new passenger facilities, support growth and unlock spare capacity on its existing single runway.

Since announcing its transformation plans in October 2024, Stansted has been developing detailed designs and carrying out enabling works for the scheme, which will give it the terminal capacity to grow to serve more than 40mppa in the coming years.

The next phase of development will see work begin later this summer on the construction of new “skylink” walkways to connect the terminal to existing satellite buildings, enabling Stansted’s track transit people mover system to then be decommissioned.

The delivery of this project and removal of the transit system will enable the terminal building to be extended in later phases of the transformation work.

The centrepiece of the transformation, the three-bay extension to the existing terminal will add 16,500m2 of space, creating a bright spacious environment with new shops, bars and restaurants, making Stansted the biggest single terminal airport in Europe.

The five-year programme has already seen a number of projects successfully delivered or underway including:

 ·       Development of the airport’s on-site solar farm

·       Opening a new domestic arrival building

·       Enlarged security hall featuring 17 latest technology scanners allowing passengers to leave liquids and large electrical items in hand luggage

·       New security entrance portal with additional boarding card scanner

·       New airside access security facility

·       Refurbishment of Satellite Two gate areas

·       Baggage system upgrades

Stansted’s investment programme is a key driver in attracting new fights to an array of global destinations. This will see Stansted play an increasingly important role in driving economic growth for London, the east of England and wider UK, reflecting its status as one of the only major UK airports with immediately available spare capacity.

This year’s strong demand from passengers has been driven by the great value, convenience and choice of more than 200 destinations on offer from Stansted with airline partners increasing capacity, adding more seats and choice of destinations, particularly Ryanair, Pegasus and Jet2.com.

Turkish Airlines, one of the world’s largest carriers, made its debut at the airport in March, flying to Istanbul up to 15 times a week, opening up easy onward connections to 353 destinations across Asia, Africa, Australia and beyond.

Other new additions include BA CityFlyer to Sardinia, easyJet flying to Paris Charles de Gaulle and Jet2.com expanding its summer programme with new routes to Jerez in Spain, Samos in Greece and La Palma in the Canary Islands. 

At the end of last year, Stansted also secured permission to grow to up to 51m passengers a year over the next two decades. This will see the total number of on-site jobs increase by 4,500 to more than 16,000, and GVA double to nearly £2.5bn a year as passenger numbers grow to the 2040s.

Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said:

“This year has already been another exciting period for everyone connected with London Stansted as we continue to welcome a record number of passengers, new airlines and routes and drive forward the airport’s transformation programme.

“We have real momentum behind our vision for London Stansted and a strong platform to build upon having joined the big league of airports last year when we passed the 30m passengers a year milestone and securing planning permission to serve up to 51m passengers a year.

“This presents us with a great opportunity to develop and optimise the infrastructure of the airport as we continue to grow passenger numbers and secure links to even more global destinations over the next couple of decades.

“We sit at the heart of the Innovation Corridor that runs from London to Cambridge and onwards to Peterborough and is growing at a rapid pace. This economic success is underpinned by excellent international connectivity, so our ability to increase passenger numbers coupled with our investment plans will bring new opportunities for growth across the Corridor.

“We have made great progress on enabling works to set the scene for the next stage as we now ramp up work and move to the delivery phase that will shape the airport of the future.

“We are unique among major airports in operating a single terminal, which means we can give people a simple, efficient and seamless experience, which we know they value, whether travelling for business, leisure or to visit friends and family. These exciting plans mean we are able to retain all those benefits, while introducing an array of new facilities and giving us the space we need to grow.

“Given the strong economic performance of our region, our ability to grow passenger numbers by making best use of the available runway capacity and the investment in new facilities, I’m confident the airport’s future is looking very bright.”

The Check In & Check Yourself campaign, run by Prevent Breast Cancer and BooBee, will appear on digital screens across the airport from 20 July to early September, helping raise awareness among millions of passengers travelling during the school holidays. 

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK, with almost 60,000 new cases diagnosed every year. Research by Breast Cancer Now and YouGov found that nearly half (45%) of UK women do not regularly check their breasts, while more than one in 10 have never checked themselves at all. 

The campaign encourages women to use the change in routine that often comes with a holiday as a reminder to check for anything unusual and seek medical advice if they have concerns. 

Margo Cornish, Patron of the BooBee Campaign and Prevent Breast Cancer, said: 

"Going on holiday can be a good opportunity to become more aware of your body and notice any changes that might otherwise go unseen. The campaign is about reminding women what to look for and encouraging them to check themselves regularly. We're very grateful to London Stansted for helping us share this important message with passengers travelling through the airport this summer." 

Nikki Barraclough, Chief Executive of Prevent Breast Cancer, said: 

"Early diagnosis is vital, which is why it's so important that women regularly check their breasts and speak to a doctor if they notice anything unusual. Regular checks could save your life." 

For more information about the campaign, visit the Check In & Check Yourself | BooBee website.

Ahead of World Youth Skills Day on 15 July, the airport is highlighting the work taking place across its education and careers programmes, including Aerozone and Stansted Airport College, which help thousands of young people each year build skills, gain experience and explore future career opportunities.

These programmes support the Government's ambition to reduce the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) by creating pathways into learning and work.

More than 12,000 people work across the Stansted airport campus, which is home to over 200 companies. As the airport continues to grow, developing a strong pipeline of future talent remains a key priority.

Marcella M'Rabety, Head of Social Sustainability at MAG, said:

"For many young people, a visit to Aerozone is the moment aviation becomes real. By giving them access to experiences, opportunities and role models, we're helping them build confidence, develop skills and discover the wide range of careers available at the airport. Supporting young people is not only the right thing to do, it also helps create opportunities in local communities and build the skilled workforce our airport will need in the future.

"We want to create an even more connected education and skills network that brings together schools, colleges, employers and the airport. Our ambition is to support at least 25,000 young people by 2030, helping even more people gain the skills, experience and confidence to access rewarding careers in aviation and beyond."

Based at the airport and run in partnership with Harlow College, Stansted Airport College is the UK's only on-site aviation college. It currently supports around 600 learners and apprentices, with 98% of graduates progressing into employment or further study last year. 

The airport also plans to expand the college's capacity to more than 1,000 learners as part of its long-term ambition to create more opportunities for local people and help meet future workforce needs. World Youth Skills Day celebrates the importance of equipping young people with the skills they need for employment, entrepreneurship and lifelong learning. 

To mark the occasion, London Stansted has published an in-depth interview with Marcella M'Rabety exploring how the airport works with schools, colleges and employers to inspire the next generation and create pathways into future careers.

From welcoming school groups to Aerozone and supporting students through Stansted Airport College, to working with schools, colleges, local councils and government, helping young people discover opportunities and develop skills is an important part of the airport's role in the local community. 

We caught up with Marcella M'Rabety, Head of Social Sustainability at MAG, to find out more. 

Why is it important for the airport to support young people with skills, education and career opportunities? 

"Supporting young people is important because it helps us build the future workforce the airport needs while creating opportunities for local communities. By helping young people develop skills and access careers, we're investing in both their future and the future success of the airport." 

What's the overall aim of Stansted's education and skills programme? 

"Our aim is to inspire young people, equip them with relevant skills and create clear pathways into employment at the airport. We want to open up opportunities, build confidence and help young people move into meaningful careers with MAG or one of the many employers based at Stansted." 

How do we work with local schools and colleges to help inspire young people and show them what's possible? 

"We work closely with schools and colleges to give young people first-hand experience of the aviation industry. Through Aerozone visits, mentoring, careers talks, work experience and events such as our recent Careers Festival, we help young people understand the opportunities available and the skills needed to succeed." 

Aerozone has welcomed thousands of students over the years. What makes it such a good experience for young people? 

"For many young people, a visit to Aerozone is the moment aviation becomes real. The interactive exhibits, careers talks and viewing platform overlooking the runway help bring the industry to life. It gives young people the chance to step beyond the classroom and imagine themselves working in aviation one day." 

What are some of the careers at the airport that people are often surprised to hear about? 

"Most people know about pilots, cabin crew and security officers, but they're often surprised by the huge range of careers available. There are opportunities in digital and technology, engineering, sustainability, logistics, airfield operations, communications, retail, hospitality, HR, finance and many more. With more than 12,000 people working across over 200 companies, the airport is like a small town." 

How does Stansted Airport College help young people prepare for the world of work? 

"As the UK's only on-site aviation college, Stansted Airport College sits right beside the runway, placing learners at the heart of one of the UK's busiest airports. Every day, students are surrounded by the sights, sounds and opportunities of the aviation industry, helping bring their learning to life. Its employer-led curriculum is designed alongside industry partners, helping students develop the practical skills and experience needed to succeed. Last year, 98% of graduates progressed into employment or further study." 

Is there a success story that really stands out? 

"What stands out most is seeing young people progress through the entire journey. We've seen students visit Aerozone, discover what's possible, train at Stansted Airport College and then go on to start their careers here at the airport. It's a powerful example of how the right support and opportunities can help turn ambition into reality." 

What skills will be most important for young people starting their careers? 

"It's not just about qualifications - it's about mindset. Communication, teamwork, adaptability and a willingness to learn are all hugely important. Above all, we're a customer-focused industry, so understanding people and delivering great service is key." 

How does helping young people develop skills today support Stansted's future growth? 

"As the airport grows and creates thousands of new jobs, we'll need a strong pipeline of skilled people to fill those roles. Through Aerozone, Stansted Airport College and our wider education and employment programmes, including our Employment and Skills Academy, we're helping ensure local young people are ready to take advantage of those opportunities. Supporting young people in this way is important because it helps us build the future workforce the airport needs while creating opportunities for local communities and helping reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET)." 

With World Youth Skills Day approaching, what message would you give to young people? 

"Believe in your potential and stay open to new opportunities. You don't need to have everything mapped out. Every experience, whether that's work experience, volunteering, mentoring or simply asking questions, can help shape your future." 

Looking ahead, what would you like the programme to achieve? 

"We want to create an even more connected education and skills ecosystem that brings together schools, colleges, employers and the airport. Our ambition is to support at least 25,000 young people by 2030 and expand Stansted Airport College to more than 1,000 learners, helping even more people access rewarding careers in aviation and beyond." 

From the historic streets of Rome, Venice, Naples and Florence and regional favourites such as Bari, Brindisi, Perugia, Pescara, Reggio Calabria to the stunning beaches of Sardinia, Sicily and Puglia, London Stansted’s extensive Italian network provides passengers with more choice than ever for summer getaways, city breaks and visits to family and friends.

 The milestone reflects the continued popularity of Italy with passengers taking advantage of the extensive network operated by London Stansted’s airline partners, including Ryanair, Jet2.com and BA CityFlyer, giving passengers more choice and flexibility than ever before.

With more than 30m passengers travelling through London Stansted each year, Italy continues to rank among the airport’s most popular international markets, with demand growing across both traditional holiday destinations and regional cities.

The airport’s Italian network now includes:

Ancona, Bari, Bologna, Brindisi, Cagliari, Catania, Florence, Genoa, Lamezia Terme, Milan Bergamo, Naples, Olbia, Palermo, Parma, Perugia, Pescara, Pisa, Reggio Calabria, Rimini, Rome Ciampino, Rome Fiumicino, Salerno, Trapani, Trieste, Turin, Venice, Verona, together with additional services to Sicily and Sardinia.

Passengers can also begin their Italian experience at the airport by visiting Terrocotta Italian Kitchen in the departure lounge where they can dine and enjoy authentic cuisine before taking to the skies.

Simon Gorrighan, London Stansted’s Aviation Director, said:

“Italy has an enduring appeal for UK visitors thanks to its unique combination of history, culture, food, beautiful landscapes and world-famous attractions.

“We’re delighted to now offer our passengers more choice than ever before, with 30 destinations from Sicily in the south to Venice in the north making Italy our best-served country.

“Whether passengers are looking for a short city break, relaxing beach holiday, a culinary adventure or are travelling to visit friends and family, London Stansted offers unrivalled access to every region of Italy.

“The continued growth of our Italian network is testament to the strength of demand from our passengers and the confidence our airline partners have in the market. Working closely with Ryanair, Jet2.com and BA CityFlyer, we’re continuing to strengthen our connectivity and give passengers even greater choice across one of Europe’s most popular destinations.”

Italy remains one of the UK’s favourite overseas destinations, renowned for its world-class cuisine, rich cultural heritage, stunning coastlines, lakes, mountains and vibrant cities. London Stansted’s extensive network provides convenient direct access to destinations throughout the country, supporting both inbound tourism and outbound leisure travel.

The airport’s extensive Italian network further reinforces London Stansted’s position as the leading gateway to Europe, offering passengers an unrivalled choice of destinations across the continent.

While many popular Mediterranean resorts are also expected to see temperatures climb into the 30s, destinations such as Scandinavia and the Irish coast typically remain in the high teens or low twenties, offering a refreshing alternative for travellers looking to escape the heat.

From Stansted, passengers can choose from more than 200 destinations, serving more European destinations than any other UK airport, making it easy to swap soaring temperatures for cooler climates. 

Among the cooler options this summer are:

• Copenhagen (Denmark) – average summer temperature around 20°C
• Gothenburg (Sweden) – around 19°C, with coastal breezes
• Stockholm (Sweden) – typically 20–22°C in summer
• Oslo (Norway) – around 20–22°C, with long daylight hours
• Helsinki (Finland) – averaging 18–20°C
• Funchal (Madeira) – typically 23–27°C, offering warm sunshine and Atlantic sea breezes without the extreme temperatures.

For those wanting to stay a little closer to home, the UK and Ireland offer equally mild conditions:

• Edinburgh (Scotland) – around 18–20°C, ideal for city exploring
• Dublin (Ireland) – typically 17–19°C
• Cork (Ireland) – around 17–19°C with a coastal feel
• Kerry (Ireland) – mild and often breezy at 16–18°C
• Knock (Ireland) – cooler conditions, averaging 15–17°C

These destinations provide a welcome alternative for travellers looking to avoid extreme heat while still making the most of a summer getaway.

Ciaran Brannigan, Commercial Director at London Stansted, said: 

"Not everyone wants to spend their holiday in 30 degree heat and, with more than 200 destinations available from Stansted, there are plenty of options where you can enjoy everything a summer getaway has to offer without the extremes. Whether you're looking for a genuinely cooler escape in Scandinavia or Ireland, or somewhere like Madeira where you can still enjoy plenty of sunshine without the extremes, there are lots of options available from Stansted this summer."

For more information on flights and destinations from London Stansted, visit Stansted Airport Destinations A-Z | Stansted Airport

From convenient parking next to the terminal to great value longer stay options, the airport offers a range of official parking products designed to make the start of any trip as smooth and stress free as possible.   

Pre-booking these products can also offer significant savings compared with paying on the day.   

Which parking option is right for you?   

Meet & Greet - maximum convenience - Perfect for families, passengers with lots of luggage or those looking to get from car to check-in as quickly as possible. Simply drive to the dedicated area, hand over your keys and head straight to the terminal while your vehicle is parked for you.   

Short Stay – closest to the terminal - Ideal for shorter trips or passengers who want to park within easy walking distance of the terminal. Short Stay offers quick access and convenience for those who value proximity.   

Mid Stay – the balanced choice - Offering a combination of convenience and value, Mid Stay is a popular option for week-long holidays. A regular free shuttle bus takes passengers to the terminal in just a few minutes.   

Long Stay – great value for longer breaks - Heading away for one or two weeks? Long Stay provides excellent value and includes regular free transfers to and from the terminal.   

JetParks – budget-friendly parking - For passengers looking for the lowest cost option, JetParks combines affordable pricing with regular free shuttle buses operating 24 hours a day.   

Passengers are being encouraged to book parking through the official London Stansted website or through trusted comparison sites to ensure they secure safe and reliable parking services.

Official airport parking facilities are located on-site, are Park Mark accredited and offer passengers the reassurance of booking directly through trusted providers. 

Nick Millar, London Stansted's Operations Director, said:  

"With the summer getaway just around the corner, we want passengers to start their trip in the easiest and most stress-free way possible. Whether you're looking for the convenience of Meet & Greet, the value of Long Stay or something in between, there's an official parking option to suit every journey and budget. We'd always encourage passengers to book ahead through the official London Stansted website or a trusted comparison site. Not only can this help secure the best prices, but it also gives customers the reassurance that they're using safe, secure, on-site parking facilities operated by trusted providers."  

With summer expected to be one of the airport's busiest periods, passengers are advised to book ahead to secure the best parking options, availability and prices. 

Recent consumer reports have highlighted cases where travellers using unregulated parking providers experienced vehicle damage, delays retrieving their cars and unexpected charges, underlining the importance of choosing trusted parking operators.   

For more information and to explore official parking options, visit London Stansted Parking.

Applications open on July 1, with the Fund offering its Flagship Award of up to £50,000 for a major community project, alongside grants of up to £5,000 for smaller schemes, helping local groups improve facilities, buy equipment and deliver projects that benefit their communities.

The funding is available to organisations within a 10 miles radius of the airport and is designed to support projects that deliver long-term benefits.

Last year, two organisations received £25,000 each through the flagship scheme. Essex Wildlife Trust used the funding to improve access at the Aubrey Buxton Nature Reserve near Stansted Mountfitchet by refurbishing a path through the site, helping visitors enjoy the reserve while protecting the surrounding habitat.

Meanwhile, Sheering Parish Council secured funding to replace the roof of its village hall, helping ensure the much used community building can continue to host local activities and events for years to come.

Daniel Turpin, London Stansted's Community Engagement Manager, said:

"This is our biggest community grant programme of the year, and it's designed to support projects that will have a lasting impact locally. Last year's winners showed the difference this funding can make, from protecting our natural environment to improving important community facilities. We'd encourage any organisation with a strong proposal to take a look at what's available and apply."

Applications close in September, with successful projects announced later this year. Further information on eligibility and how to apply is available at MAG Airports Community Funds

A total of 11 projects across Uttlesford, East Herts, Epping Forest and Harlow have secured funding, supporting everything from village improvements to youth projects and community wellbeing.

From apple orchards to scout huts, the funding will help improve local facilities and bring people together in communities close to the airport.

Projects receiving cash include: 

- A £3,000 revamp and extension of a community orchard in Stebbing

- £4,800 for solar panels and upgrades for Silver Leys Scout Group

- £3,330 for a new bistro trailer at Birchwood High School

- £4,500 for accessible fitness equipment in Epping Forest

- £5,000 for a new tractor at the Gibberd Garden in Harlow

- £1,500 for equipment for the Female Founders Community CIC gift shop

Smaller projects have also received support, including therapy equipment, village hall improvements and upgrades for local community groups.

In total, £30,778 has been awarded in this round, helping groups keep vital projects going and improve facilities for local residents.

Maggie Sutton, Chair of the Fund, said: 

“These grants will make a real difference to communities around the airport, supporting projects that bring people together, improve local facilities and promote wellbeing. It’s fantastic to see such a wide range of organisations benefitting, from schools and scout groups to charities and community spaces, all helping to strengthen the areas we serve.”

Matthew Dickin from The Gibberd Garden said:

“Thank you for the fantastic news, we’re absolutely delighted. This funding towards a new tractor will make a real difference in helping us look after and maintain the garden for everyone who enjoys it.”

Ina Zakaidze from the Female Founders Community CIC said:

“Thank you so much for awarding Female Founders Community CIC £1,500 towards the cost of smaller items for our project. We’re genuinely grateful to the Stansted Airport Community Fund for supporting our work and believing in what we’re building for local women and community groups.”

The SACF supports projects within a ten-mile radius of the airport that deliver lasting benefits to local people. For more information visit MAG Airports Community Funds

Stansted Airport Community Fund – FY26/27 Q1 grant awards: 

- Stebbing Parish Council (Uttlesford) – Community orchard refurbishment and extension – £3,000

- Wild Fields Therapy CIC (East Herts) – Equipment for community therapy group – £1,147

- Silver Leys Scout Group (East Herts) – Solar panels, lighting, soundproofing and electrical work – £4,800

- Birchwood High School (East Herts) – Bistro trailer for school and community use – £3,330

- Henham Village Hall (Uttlesford) – Replacement fire doors – £1,750

- Thaxted Baptist Church (Uttlesford) – Chairs – £1,914

- ASL Aspire Support Learn CIC (Epping Forest) – Accessible fitness and healthy living equipment – £4,500

- 1st Sawbridgeworth Scouts (East Herts) – Projector and sound equipment – £3,357

- Bishops Stortford History Society (East Herts) – Blue plaque installation – £480

- The Gibberd Garden (Harlow) – Tractor for garden maintenance – £5,000

- Female Founders Community CIC (East Herts) – Equipment for community gift shop – £1,500 

The monthly total beat the previous high for May set last year by more than 123,000 passengers, an increase of 4.5%.

Stansted, which offers more scheduled services to Europe than any other UK airport, saw 1m passengers pass through the terminal during the school holiday period, with more than 102,500 passengers using the airport on May 29, the busiest day of the year so far.

In total, daily passenger numbers topped 100,000 on five separate days in May.

The top individual destinations across the half-term week were Istanbul, Dublin and Palma de Mallorca, with the most popular countries visited being Spain, Italy and Turkey.

Alongside families heading off for spring sunshine and city breaks, and strong inbound demand from overseas visitors to the UK, football supporters travelling to back their teams in European cup finals also boosted passenger numbers.

Aston Villa fans took advantage of the frequent services to Istanbul to see their team triumph in the Europa league, while Crystal Palace fans boarded flights to various destinations in Germany, including Berlin or Nuremburg, to see the team lift the cup in the Conference League final in Leipzig.

At the end of the month, Arsenal fans headed to Budapest for the UEFA Champions League final, packing out direct flights to the Hungarian capital as well as taking more creative routes via destinations such as Vienna in Austria, and Bratislava and Kosice in Slovakia to see their team just fall short against champions PSG.

Stansted’s rolling total for the 12-months ending May 2026 reached 30.22m, an increase of 0.9% on the previous year.  

Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said:

“London Stansted’s fantastic range of destinations along with the reliable and efficient airport operation we continue to provide enabled us to once again welcome a record number of passengers during May.

“The record-breaking month was boosted by a really busy half-term week as hundreds of thousands of Brits headed off on holiday or visited family and friends abroad, while we also saw huge numbers of overseas visitors choosing the airport as their gateway to London and the East of England.

“We also welcome thousands of football fans during May as supporters took advantage of the excellent choice and convenience our extensive European routes network offers to follow their teams to finals in Turkey, Germany and Hungary.

“We expect demand to remain strong in the run up to the main summer holiday season, so all the operational teams across the airport will be working hard to deliver a great service and the best possible experience for our passengers.”

New figures show Liverpool surged from seventh place last year to take top spot among Stansted passengers in 2025/26, overtaking Arsenal, who slipped from number one into second despite their success on the pitch. 

The data, compiled from shirt sales at the JD Sports store in the terminal between August 2025 and May 2026, highlights the shifting popularity of clubs among Stansted travellers. 

Despite being relegated from the Premier League, West Ham United still impressed, finishing third ahead of rivals Tottenham Hotspur in fourth, with Manchester United rounding off the top five.

Last year’s rankings were also boosted by strong demand for international kits, with England and England retro shirts both featuring in the top 10, but neither made the list this season. 

Newcastle United, Manchester City and Chelsea also feature in this year’s top 10, alongside Aston Villa and Spanish giants Real Madrid. 

Overall shirt sales rose by 19% compared with the previous year, underlining strong demand from the millions of passengers travelling through London Stansted. 

Stephen Martin, Retail Director at London Stansted, said: 

“It’s always interesting to see which teams prove most popular with our passengers, and this year’s figures show just how strong the global appeal of clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal remains. Liverpool taking top spot ahead of the newly crowned champions will no doubt spark a bit of debate, while West Ham finishing above Spurs is another talking point that fans will enjoy. With millions of passengers passing through London Stansted each year, our shops offer a fascinating snapshot of the teams people are supporting from across the UK and around the world. With our other local team Ipswich Town back in the Premier League, it’ll be interesting to see if they can break into the top ten next season.” 

Top 10 football shirt sales at London Stansted (2025/26): 

1.      Liverpool 

2.    Arsenal 

3.    West Ham United 

4.    Tottenham Hotspur 

5.     Manchester United 

6.    Newcastle United 

7.     Manchester City 

8.    Chelsea 

9.    Aston Villa 

10.  Real Madrid 

They were part of a special event in Parliament hosted by Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which owns London Stansted, to highlight the impact of its skills and employment programmes.

During the event, students spoke directly with Ministers and MPs, including the Rt Hon. Dame Diana Johnson MP, Minister for Employment and local MP Josh Dean. They shared their journeys into aviation, from school to vocational training, and their ambitions to move into airport roles or on to university.

The event follows the publication of the Milburn Review, which found nearly one million young people aged 16-24 in the UK are not in education, employment or training (NEET), underlining the need for clear pathways into work.

MAG’s programmes aim to address this challenge by creating routes into employment, from early engagement in schools through training and job opportunities.

At London Stansted, initiatives including the Aerozone, Airport Academy and Stansted Airport College support people at every stage of that journey.

Based at the airport and run in partnership with Harlow College, Stansted Airport College is the only further education college of its kind in the UK, offering specialist aviation training and direct pathways into industry jobs. More than 500 students study at the college each year, with many progressing into aviation roles or further education.

Students attending the Westminster event highlighted how the college has helped them gain qualifications, build confidence and take their first steps into the sector. MAG also outlined plans to expand the college, creating opportunities for more local people to train for careers linked to the airport.

Since 2020, more than 52,000 people have been supported through the group’s skills and employment programmes.

Josh Dean MP, Member of Parliament for Stortford and Hertford, said:

“The airport college at London Stansted is a pioneering project in our area and in the aviation industry, giving hundreds of local students an opportunity to study and move into careers at the airport or with aviation and aerospace businesses nearby. It was a pleasure to highlight their work, and the other educational programmes MAG deliver at all three of its UK airports to parliamentarians from across the UK, making the case for more employers to take this approach and encourage more MPs to support the work they do.”

Emma Crossland, Chief People Officer at MAG, said:

“The aviation sector needs a strong pipeline of skilled people to support future growth. Through our Airport Academies, Aerozones and Stansted Airport College, we are creating clear pathways into employment and helping young people build long-term careers in aviation.”

Karen Spencer, Principal and CEO of Harlow College, said:

“Stansted Airport College gives young people a clear route into the workplace. By bringing education and industry together in one location, we’re helping students develop the skills employers need while supporting the future growth of the aviation sector.”

Between April 2025 and March 2026, teams from across the airport carried out 4,856 hours of volunteering, supporting schools, foodbanks, environmental projects and community organisations across Essex and Hertfordshire.

From clearing woodland at Hatfield Forest with the National Trust to helping transform outdoor spaces at a neurological centre in Sawbridgeworth, airport staff have been rolling up their sleeves to make a difference in communities close to where they live and work.

They have also supported projects including a community garden in Stansted Mountfitchet, a rural studies centre, and a school farm in Saffron Walden, taking on everything from planting and landscaping to sorting food donations and improving learning spaces for local young people.

Daniel Turpin, Community Engagement Manager at London Stansted, said:

“Volunteers’ Week is a great opportunity to recognise the fantastic contribution our colleagues make to the communities around us. Whether it’s helping transform a garden, supporting a local school or getting stuck into conservation work, our teams are always keen to give their time and make a difference. We’re incredibly proud of the impact they’ve had over the past year.”

One group of volunteers spent two days working with the National Trust at Hatfield Forest, clearing and burning leftover branches as part of ongoing conservation work.

Kimberley Goodall, Ranger at the National Trust, said:

“It was great to have the extra helping hands of the Stansted Airport team join us for a couple of days volunteering. They were a big help and it was great to share some of our conservation work and the beauty of the Forest with them.”

Elsewhere, volunteers helped transform the garden at the Jacobs Neurological Centre in Sawbridgeworth, creating a more welcoming outdoor space for residents, staff and visitors.

Sheila Henderson, Chair of Friends of Sawbridgeworth Neuro Centre, added:

“They achieved more in a day than we could have done in a month, and we’re so grateful for their support.”

Colleagues have also supported Harlow Foodbank following the busy Christmas period, helped create new outdoor learning spaces at Gorsefield Rural Studies Centre, and carried out hands-on work at Saffron Walden County High School’s Agricultural Science Unit.

Volunteers’ Week, which takes place from 1–7 June, is a national campaign recognising the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering.

The Bank Holiday weekend is expected to be the airport’s busiest period, with around 400,000 passengers forecast to fly in and out.

Alongside families heading off for spring sunshine and city breaks, and with strong inbound demand from overseas visitors to the UK, supporters will also be travelling to Germany and Hungary for two European football finals.

Serving more than 200 destinations across Europe, London Stansted offers fans plenty of choice whether travelling direct or via more creative routes.

Crystal Palace fans will be heading to Leipzig for the UEFA Conference League Final on 27 May, where they face Rayo Vallecano. While Leipzig is not served directly from Stansted, supporters are flying into Berlin or Nuremberg before continuing by rail or road.

Just three days later, Arsenal take on Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League Final in Budapest. 

Ryanair operates direct services from Stansted, while passengers are also travelling via destinations such as Vienna in Austria, and Bratislava and Kosice in Slovakia, all of which offer onward connections to the Hungarian capital.

Ahead of the busy half-term period, the airport is also sharing important travel advice with passengers.

The airport’s enlarged security hall is now fully operational, featuring next-generation scanners, meaning passengers no longer need to remove liquids or large electronics from their bags.

Travellers are also being advised to allow plenty of time for their journey and to prepare for security in advance. Anyone who hasn’t already booked parking is encouraged to do so via the official airport website or well-established comparison sites to ensure they secure safe, on-site services.

Jonathan Fowler, Chief Operating Officer at London Stansted Airport, said:

“Half-term is always a popular time for passengers to get away, with warmer weather across much of Europe and destinations generally quieter than during the peak summer months. 

"This year there’s an extra buzz around the terminal, with thousands of football fans expected to travel for two major finals, adding to what is already shaping up to be a very busy week at the airport. 

"We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone travelling over the period and would encourage passengers to allow plenty of time for their journey and to prepare for security in advance to help make their experience as smooth and easy as possible.”

Nearly £80,000 has been awarded to local projects through the airport’s Community Fund, helping young people, sports clubs and charities deliver activities and improvements in their communities. 

The funding comes alongside a range of other initiatives delivered in recent weeks, including a jobs fair that drew a strong turnout as businesses across the airport prepare for the busy summer season. 

The airport has also continued its work with local schools, with pupils given the chance to go behind the scenes as part of a long-running mentoring scheme with aimed at raising aspirations and showcasing careers in aviation. 

Meanwhile, Stansted’s partnership with local foodbanks has reached a major milestone, with more than 20 tonnes of donations collected over the past year to help families in need.

Airport staff have also been getting hands-on in the community. Members of the finance team recently volunteered at Vicarage Mead in Thaxted, repainting benches and improving the patio area for residents. 

Fergus Simmonds, Sheltered Housing Team Leader at Uttlesford District Council, said: 

“The volunteers did a great job, and the residents were really appreciative. This work has made a real difference to the surroundings.” 

London Stansted is also supporting St Clare Hospice’s Lions on the Loose trail this summer, with sculptures appearing across Harlow, Epping and Loughton to raise funds and awareness.  Its lion, designed by Darren Gourley, will be on display throughout summer 2026 before being auctioned to support the charity. 

Daniel Turpin, Community Engagement Manager at London Stansted, said: 

“We’re really proud of the range of ways we’ve been able to support local communities over the past month. From funding grassroots projects to giving our time through volunteering and helping young people learn more about careers, it’s all about making a positive difference in the areas around the airport.  

“We are also extremely excited to be sponsoring one of the iconic lion sculptures, as part of this Summer’s Lions on the Loose art trail in aid of St Clare’s Hospice, helping to bring this exciting project to life and demonstrating its commitment to supporting creativity, community, and care.”

The work forms part of the airport’s wider community programme, which includes funding, volunteering and education initiatives throughout the year. 

The national week, led by AirportsUK the trade body representing UK airports, has seen colleagues from all areas of the airport community, including airlines, ground handlers, emergency services and partners, working side‑by‑side to share learning, understand each other’s challenges and strengthen safety culture across the site.

Across the week, activities have included safety demonstrations, training sessions and health and wellbeing events, with drop‑in sessions hosted both landside and airside.

Highlights included a Construction Safety Day showing how major projects are delivered safely, apron and airside safety awareness sessions, and a Business Resilience Day that brought together organisations such as Essex Police, Essex County Fire & Rescue Service, the East of England Ambulance Service and the British Red Cross to explore how different teams work together during incidents.

Alongside practical safety activity, the programme also included mental health support, CPR demonstrations, fire safety training and community activities such as organised walks and Pets as Therapy sessions.

Nick Millar, Operations Director at London Stansted, said:

“Safety sits at the heart of everything we do at Stansted. UK Airports Health & Safety Week has been a great opportunity for the airport community, from airlines and ground service providers to air traffic control and emergency services, to come together, share knowledge and learn from each other. Seeing so many organisations working collaboratively this week has been hugely positive.”

Emile Macdonald‑Williams, Head of Health & Safety at London Stansted, said:

“Health and safety isn’t just about what happens in the workplace. It’s also about supporting people to look after their own health and wellbeing. This week has been a great chance to bring teams together, raise awareness and remind everyone to look out for themselves and each other.”

As part of the week, Stansted also raised awareness of prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men. The airport teamed up with prostate cancer survivor Errol McKellar MBE to encourage men over the age of 40 to get tested, with free testing kits and advice offered to colleagues.

Errol McKellar MBE said:

“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. One in eight men will get it, and for Black men that risk is doubled. Early testing really can save lives. Being at Stansted this week has been about encouraging men to have those conversations and take action.”

The monthly total was an increase of 3.2% on last year, beating the previous high for April set in 2025 by 80,000 passengers.

The school holiday period saw up to 1.5m passengers pass through the terminal, with nearly 400,000 passengers flying across the bank holiday weekend alone.

The airport’s extensive route network across Europe saw Spain, Italy and Turkey as the most popular countries visited during the month with the top individual destinations being Dublin, Istanbul and Edinburgh.

The conflict in the Middle East did impact some services, including the popular double daily Emirates route to Dubai, meaning fewer flights operated to the region during the period than normal.

Stansted’s rolling total for the 12-months ending April 2026 reached 30.1m, an increase of 0.5% on the previous year.  

Nick Millar, London Stansted’s Operations Director, said:

“Last month was another example of the great choice and value we offer passengers, coupled with a smooth and reliable airport experience, continuing to drive strong passenger demand, particularly over the busy Easter holidays.

“Even with a record number of passengers using London Stansted in April, I’m delighted we were able to deliver a really very strong operational performance, both on the airfield and in the terminal, thanks to the dedication and teamwork shown by colleagues right across the airport.

“We are now focussed on the half-term holidays later this month and maintaining a reliable airport operation as we prepare for hundreds of thousands of people to head away on holiday and welcome overseas visitors choosing London Stansted as their gateway to London, the East of England and beyond.”

The most recent delivery, totalling around one tonne, was collected this week by volunteers from Uttlesford Foodbank, continuing the airport’s long‑running support for communities across north west Essex and east Hertfordshire.

The donations come from items surrendered at airport security by passengers unable to take them through due to the liquid restrictions. 

Unopened jars of jam, peanut butter, canned drinks and toiletries are among the goods collected.

Instead of going to waste, the items are sorted and redistributed each month to foodbanks in Uttlesford, Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford.

Volunteers from Uttlesford Foodbank collected the latest donation, which will now be shared with households across the district.

Dan Turpin, London Stansted’s Community Engagement Manager, said:

“While we always encourage passengers to double-check their hand luggage before they travel, sometimes items do get left behind due to the liquid rules at airport security. Thanks to our partnership with local foodbanks, these goods don’t go to waste but instead go straight to people who really need them. From jars of jam to canned drinks and toiletries, the donations make a real difference.”

Katy Mendes‑Day, Director at Uttlesford Foodbank, said:

“Stansted Airport has been supporting Uttlesford Foodbank for some time by donating suitable food and drink items that passengers are unable to take through security. It’s reassuring to know that these items can go on to help households in need across the district. We’re very grateful for the partnership and for their ongoing support of local communities.”

All donated items are checked to ensure they are unopened and within their use by dates before being redistributed by the airport’s waste contractor, The Green Block.

IPT members in attendance were Graeme Downie MP, Jacob Collier MP, Wera Hobhouse MP and Richard Holden MP.   

During the visit, the team were taken on a tour of the airport’s terminal followed by an airside visit to view Stansted’s airfield and how the airport plans and successfully delivers a 24 hour a day flight operation.

The IPT members then completed the visit with a tour of the airport’s unique on-site college, run in partnership with Harlow College. The college is the UK’s only further education facility based on an airport campus, providing young people with opportunities to learn and gain qualifications across a host of aviation related courses to prepare them for a rewarding career in the sector.

The IPT is an independent, non-lobbying, non-partisan charity that provides a trusted platform of engagement between Parliament and UK business. The IPT is dually supported by cross-party representation of senior parliamentarians on its Board of Trustees, and through the patronage of its industry supporters.

The airport college currently supports over 500 young people each year, and as the airport grows towards 51 million passengers a year over the next two decades, the ambition is for the college to double in size to help provide a pipeline of talent as the number of on-site jobs increases by more than 4,000 to 16,000 in total.

London Stansted’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Jonathan Stock, said:

“We were delighted to welcome members of the IPT to London Stansted and introduce them to how the airport operates. It was also great to share the steps we are taking to develop a pipeline of future talent at the airport’s onsite college, the first of its kind in the country.

“As one of the UK’s busiest airports with ambitious plans to sustainably increase passenger numbers, support economic growth and provide even greater connectivity, we understand how important it is for there to be a strong working relationship between industry and parliament.”

Ben Jones, Parliamentary Affairs Manager, said:

“In partnership with MAG, the Industry and Parliament Trust were delighted to organise a cross-party group visit of MPs to London Stansted Airport.

“Through this educational visit MPs got to better understand the work of the airport, hear about their terminal expansion and visit Stansted Airport College. We would like to thank all MPs who attended and to everyone at MAG for hosting the visit.”

The event, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Wednesday 22 April, brought together 30 airport companies and business partners, offering more than 500 job opportunities across roles including customer service, security, retail, hospitality, logistics and airport operations.

Jobseekers were able to meet recruiters throughout the day, with several companies carrying out on-the-spot interviews.

Among the employers represented were MAG Stansted, Emirates, Ryanair, Jet2, SSP, Swissport, UPS and Border Force, giving attendees the chance to learn more about careers at the airport.

Alongside employers, a number of support organisations were also present to provide advice and guidance. 

These included the Department for Work and Pensions, National Careers Service, Stansted Academy, Harlow College and the Stansted Airport Commuter Centre, offering information on training, career pathways and travel options.

Nathan Mullane, Employment & Skills Manager at London Stansted, said:

“With hundreds of vacancies available, this event played a vital role in connecting local people with careers across the airport. It also highlights our wider commitment to supporting skills, employment and economic growth across the region.”

London Stansted is home to more than 12,000 employees working across 200 on-airport companies, making it the region’s largest single-site employer.

Year 11 pupils who took part in the programme were invited to the airport for a special event, which included a lunch, the presentation of certificates and a guided tour of areas of the airport usually off limits to the public.

The mentoring partnership pairs pupils with airport staff from a range of departments including engineering, the fire service, operations, construction and communications.

Throughout the school year, mentors meet regularly with pupils to offer advice and support as they prepare for their GCSEs and consider future career options.

Careers Lead Callie Dennis said: 

"The mentoring programme has continued to evolve, offering our students opportunities that really bring the world of work to life. By matching pupils with experienced professionals, we’re able to give them tailored guidance that sparks new interests and supports their ambitions."

Assistant Headteacher Kayleigh Trainor said: 

“Speaking with mentors has helped students build confidence when talking to adults and opened their minds to the many pathways their careers could take. It’s been an invaluable experience for so many of our learners.”

Nine members of staff from the airport took part as mentors this year, continuing a long‑standing commitment by the airport to support local young people.

The scheme forms part of the airport’s wider commitment to social sustainability, helping to widen access to career opportunities and support young people from the local community to achieve their potential.

Alex Smith, Education Manager at London Stansted, said:

“By pairing students with colleagues from across the airport, we help them build confidence, develop essential skills and explore future careers. Supporting young people through initiatives like this is a key part of our approach to social sustainability, and it was great to welcome them to the airport to celebrate completing the scheme and to give them a real insight into how the airport operates.”

The event comes as the airport steps up recruitment ahead of a busy summer season, with more than 30 airport employers, business partners and support services set to attend. 

Together, they will offer over 500 vacancies in areas including customer service, security, retail, logistics and operations.

Several major names are confirmed to attend, including MAG Stansted, World Duty Free, Jet2, Border Force, UPS, Ryanair and Swissport, giving job seekers a chance to explore a wide range of opportunities under one roof. 

Nathan Mullane, Employment & Skills Manager at London Stansted, said:  

“London Stansted is a key driver of growth and employment in the East of England and the UK. With more than 12,000 people employed across 200 on‑airport companies, there’s a huge variety of rewarding careers available.

"Employers are looking for friendly, dedicated individuals who thrive in a dynamic environment. Successful candidates can also enjoy benefits such as up to 80% off public transport, discounts on airport retail, free holiday parking, and access to dozens of free skills and training programmes.”

The airport's Employment and Skills Academy will also be at the event, highlighting its free pre-employment courses, including fully accredited training schemes for job seekers and those needing extra support before applying. The job fair is free to attend. 

To register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/london-stansted-airport-jobs-fair-tickets-1985052443294?aff=oddtdtcreator

The most popular countries for travellers across the winter were Spain, Italy and Germany with the top individual destinations being Dublin, Istanbul and Edinburgh.

The final month of the winter schedule saw more than 2.27m passengers pass through the terminal in March, the second busiest March on record at the airport. 

The conflict in the Middle East did impact some services, including the popular double daily Emirates route to Dubai, meaning fewer flights operated during the period than normal. This resulted in a small reduction in total passenger numbers for the month. 

March also saw a number of significant new airline route launches, including Turkish Airlines commencing a double daily service to Istanbul that also allows passengers to connect onto over 350 worldwide destinations, plus easyJet’s twice‑weekly route from London Stansted to Paris Charles de Gaulle.

 Stansted’s rolling total for the 12-months ending March 2026 reached 30.02m, an increase of 0.4% on the previous year.  

Nick Millar, London Stansted’s Operations Director, said:

“The winter season was the busiest on record at London Stansted and this growth continues to be driven by the great value, choice and fantastic range of destinations we are able to offer, plus the reliable and efficient airport operation we know passengers really value.

“The summer schedule is now underway, and we have already welcomed Turkish Airlines to the airport and seen the launch of new services to Paris and Malmo with easyJet and Ryanair respectively with more new routes to come later in the season.

“In addition, we have just successfully delivered a very busy Easter getaway for hundreds of thousands of passengers, and we see this strong demand continuing in the months ahead as we ramp up our preparations for the peak summer getaway."

The latest funding brings the total donated by the Fund in the last 12 months to £240,000, supporting 80 local organisations ranging from youth groups and sports clubs to heritage projects and charities.

The Fund, which operates independently of the airport, supports projects within ten miles of the airport, focusing on improving facilities, supporting volunteers, and backing schemes that benefit local residents.

Over the next decade, the airport will contribute £1.5 million to the fund, which will be topped up from fines levied against airlines who breach noise regulations.

Groups receiving funding this quarter include youth organisations, village halls, sports clubs, churches and charities working directly with vulnerable people.

Highlights from this funding round include:  

- Olivers Lodge Youth Club CIC (£5,000) – Games and activity equipment for young people.

- SA Foundation CIC (£5,000) – Sports equipment for its Active Futures programme.

- Saffron Walden Community Youth Sports Hub (£4,779) – New goal posts and netball posts as part of a refurbishment of the multi-games pitch.

- Bishop's Stortford Foodbank (£4,435) – Storage solutions, furniture and access improvements.

- Great Dunmow Air Training Corps 999 Squadron (£4,302) – Laptops to upgrade learning and development facilities.

- Braintree Hockey Club (£1,953) – Equipment and clothing.

- Roots2Success CIC (£3,010) – Training equipment.

- Harlow Steelband (£1,720) - Gazebo, flags & performance equipment.

Chair of the Trust, Maggie Sutton, said:  

“This has been an exceptional year for the Fund, with a record number of applications highlighting the incredible work happening across our communities. We’re proud to support organisations making a real difference every day, from improving local spaces to helping charities care for those who need it most.”

Steve Fisk, Roots2Succes CIC in Bishop’s Stortford, said: 

“The £3,010 grant from the Community Fund will make a real difference to the young people we support at Roots2Success CIC. It allows us to create a safe, supportive space where they can build confidence and start to believe in themselves, many for the first time. This isn’t just equipment, it’s opportunity and a chance for young people to see what they’re capable of.” 

Rachael Leedham, Braintree Hockey Club said: 

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Stansted Community Fund for this generous support, which is already making a real difference to our junior players. The funding has helped kit out a young goalkeeper and improve our training sessions with new equipment, giving more children the chance to develop their skills in a fun and supportive environment.” 

Full list of grants awarded this quarter:  
 

• 1st St Michaels Mead Scout Group – Camping & outdoor equipment – £2,888.00
• 2nd Great Parndon – Camping & outdoor equipment – £2,361.00
• All Sorts Dementia Group CIO – iPads for dementia activities – £1,998.00
• Bedazzle Projects – Performing arts equipment for disabled individuals – £1,998.00
• Berden PCC (St Nicholas Church) – Tower, roof & masonry repairs – £2,000.00
• Bishop's Stortford Foodbank – Storage, furniture & access works – £4,435.00
• Braintree Hockey Club – Equipment & clothing – £1,953.00
• CraftAbility – IT equipment – £439.00
• Great Dunmow ATC 999 Squadron – Laptops for learning upgrade – £4,302.00
• Harlow Steelband – Gazebo, flags & performance equipment – £1,720.00
• Harlow Tekkers FC – Benches & chippings for clubhouse – £2,000.00
• Helen Rollason Cancer Charity – Volunteer IT equipment – £998.00
• Lindsell Cricket Club – Toilet & shower refurbishment – £3,000.00
• Lindsell Village Hall – Chairs & tables – £2,000.00
• Matipo Arts CIC – Storytelling equipment – £2,336.75
• Olivers Lodge Youth Club CIC – Youth club games equipment – £5,000.00
• Pleshey Community Development Trust – Picnic benches & tree guards – £1,500.00
• Pleshey Village Hall – Projector & speakers – £2,740.00
• Quendon & Rickling Village Hall – Toilet refurbishment – £3,320.00
• Radwinter Recreation Ground Charity – Sports equipment – £2,400.00
• Rainbow Pre-School – Mud kitchen & play area upgrades – £1,000.00
• Rise Community CIC – Furniture for community café/living room – £1,754.00
• Roots2Success CIC – Hairdressing lesson equipment – £3,010.00
• SA Foundation CIC – Active futures sports equipment – £5,000.00
• Saffron Walden Community Youth Sports Hub – Sports posts for pitch – £4,779.00
• Saffron Walden Cricket Club – Paving & groundworks – £3,600.00
• Saffron Walden Society of Change Ringers – Refurbishment of ringing chamber – £4,000.00
• Stansted Fire Station – Refurbishment works – £1,225.00
• Thaxted Bowls Club – Clubhouse insulation – £1,000.00
• Thaxted Rangers Youth FC – Football equipment – £483.85
• PCC of Thaxted Parish – Bespoke nave wall lights – £3,000.00
• Wholesome Charity – Eco-Life Connect community garden project – £1,600.00  
   

The partnership supports Manchester Airports Group’s (MAG) wider sustainability plans, which include boosting biodiversity, restoring habitats, and managing land more sustainably across all its airports.  

Through the new collaboration, Stansted will receive expert advice and benefit from local conservation networks, helping to strengthen and expand the environmental work already taking place on site.  

Joining the scheme builds on existing initiatives and will further support habitat improvements across the airport. 

Planned measures include installing hedgehog nest boxes, restoring hedgerows, and creating opportunities for colleagues to take part in conservation activities.  

Martin Churley, MAG’s Head of Environment, said:  

“There’s a lot more nature around the airport than people realise. Stansted is truly an airport in the countryside, and we’ve worked hard to create spaces where wildlife can thrive. It’s great to see deer, foxes and rare flowers living happily just beyond the runway. This partnership with the Wildlife Trust, along with our sustainability strategy, will help ensure that the airport continues to grow in a way that supports and enhances local biodiversity.” 

London Stansted recently received its official Gold Member Investors in Wildlife certificate from the Essex Wildlife Trust during a special visit to the airport’s habitat area. 

Representatives from the Trust joined members of the airport’s environment team at the north‑side site.  

Justine Addison, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Essex Wildlife Trust, said:  

"Welcoming Stansted Airport as a member of our corporate Investors in Wildlife Programme is a powerful example of what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared commitment to nature. Their visible leadership and investment, send a strong signal about the vital role business can play, helping to accelerate real, measurable impact for biodiversity gain across Essex." 

One of the airport’s flagship initiatives is a dedicated wildlife habitat north of the runway, created around seven years ago on previously unused land. 

Covering an area roughly equivalent to two football pitches, the site includes ponds, grassland and woodland, providing a safe home for species such as deer, rabbits, badgers and great crested newts. 

A wide variety of wildflowers including marsh marigold and wild angelica also thrive here.  Wildlife is also frequently seen around the wider airport boundary too, with grazing deer and foxes regularly spotted. 

In nearby woodland managed by the airport, Stansted is supporting the National Trust by collecting seeds from rare oxlip flowers found on the site, helping to grow new plants for rewilding projects in places such as Hatfield Forest, where the species has been declining. 

Between 28 March and 12 April, up to 760,000 passengers will be flying out of the airport, with another 740,000 due to arrive, as families across the region head off for some spring sunshine, city breaks or late-season skiing in the Alps.

Popular destinations include the hotspots of Spain, Italy and Portugal, while city breaks to Rome, Barcelona, Dublin and Budapest are also proving popular.

Over the Easter weekend alone, passenger numbers are expected to top 400,000, with Good Friday predicted to be the busiest day for departures.

This year’s getaway marks the first Easter with the airport’s newly enlarged security hall fully operational. 

The upgraded facility features next-generation scanners, so passengers no longer need to remove liquids or large electronics from their bags.

Work is still ongoing on a new and improved security entrance portal, with more boarding card scanners to be added later this year to further speed up entry and enhance the passengers experience.

The improvements form part of Stansted’s wider transformation programme, which passengers will notice throughout the terminal. 

Construction hoardings will remain in some areas as works continue, but several major upgrades have already been delivered.

These include the opening of the new domestic arrivals building, a refurbishment of the Satellite Two gate area including new flooring and seating, and significant improvements to the airport’s extensive baggage system behind the scenes.

Travellers on flights departing from Satellite One will also now find the newly opened Essence Lounge, which replaces the former Escape Lounge that closed in February. 

The new space offers a simple, modern setting for passengers to relax with food and drinks before their flight.

Jonathan Fowler, London Stansted's Chief Operating Officer, said: 

“Easter is always a very busy time for all the teams working at London Stansted, and we’re pleased to be welcoming so many passengers as they head off on their holidays. 

"Our teams will be working hard to make sure everyone gets a smooth start to their trip, especially with our new, expanded security hall and next generation scanners now in use.

"Passengers will still see some hoardings around the terminal as we continue our transformation programme, but these improvements are all part of our vision to create a more modern, spacious and efficient airport that makes every step of travel easier and more comfortable, while at the same time offering our passengers even more choice and more possibilities when using London Stansted.”

The airline’s inaugural flight touched down on Wednesday (March 18), marking the start of a twice‑daily schedule that will offer passengers across London, Essex, Hertfordshire and the wider East of England greater choice and improved global connectivity.

The Turkish flag carrier will operate up to 15 flights a week between London Stansted and Istanbul.

Ciaran Brannigan, Commercial Director at London Stansted, said the new service is a significant step forward for the airport and the region it serves. He said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Turkish Airlines to London Stansted. This route gives passengers from the region a fantastic new option for travelling to Istanbul and, thanks to the airline’s world‑leading network, offers convenient connections to more than 350 destinations worldwide. This launch strengthens our growing network and supports the long‑term vision for London Stansted as a major international gateway for the East of England.”

Turkish Airlines Vice President Sales (Middle and Northern Europe) Fuat Fırat, said:

“The United Kingdom continues to be one of the key strategic markets for Turkish Airlines. With the addition of London Stansted flights, we are pleased to expand our presence in London to a third airport, further strengthening London Stansted’s connectivity and offering our guests greater flexibility to access our unparalleled global network. We believe this new route will not only meet regional demand but also contribute to both commercial and tourism activity across the region.”

To mark the inaugural flight, celebrations were held at check‑in and at the boarding gate, highlighted by a ribbon and cake cutting ceremony. The aircraft’s arrival was welcomed with a traditional water arch salute by the airport’s fire service, while both inaugural flights proved extremely popular, operating at full capacity.

The building acts as a checkpoint between the public side of the airport and the restricted airfield, and it is where staff, vehicles and deliveries must show ID and be cleared before entering.

The new facility includes modern security systems, better working conditions for the colleagues who staff it, and a more efficient layout designed for a smoother process for the thousands of authorised vehicle movements that take place each week.

The development forms part of Stansted’s wider transformation programme to upgrade the airport’s infrastructure and facilities.

It builds on the successful delivery of several major projects, including the new domestic arrivals building, the refurbishment of the Satellite Two gate areas, significant baggage system upgrades and the construction of the airport’s on‑site solar farm, which is on track to become operational this spring.

Nick Millar, Operations Director at London Stansted, said:

“This new checkpoint is an important investment that supports the safe and secure operation of the airport every day. While passengers may never see it, facilities like this play a vital role in ensuring authorised staff and vehicles can access the airfield quickly and efficiently. It’s another example of the improvements taking place across the airport as part of our wider transformation programme, not only meeting the latest security requirements, but also supporting future growth to 43 million passengers a year and beyond.”
 

Thirty pupils from Forest Hall School visited the Aerozone, the airport’s dedicated education centre, on Thursday 5 March, where they met female professionals working in all kinds of roles across the airport.

The students heard directly from a commercial airline pilot, security officers, and other operational and office staff about what their roles involve and how they developed their careers.

Throughout the visit, pupils explored the Aerozone’s hands on exhibits including a flight simulator and STEM  activities, all designed to spark curiosity and show them just how varied and exciting aviation can be.

Alex Smith, Education Manager at London Stansted, said the day was all about showing these young women what’s possible. Alex added:

"Empowering young females to explore careers in aviation is essential to building a more diverse and dynamic future for the industry. These events provide opportunities that many girls may never have considered. Encouraging this early engagement ensures the aviation sector can draw from the full breadth of local talent."

The service adds a convenient option for people across the region looking to travel to the French capital for work or leisure. 

The airline will operate the route on Thursdays and Sundays throughout March, before moving to Mondays and Fridays for the summer season. 

Seats are available now at easyJet.com and via the mobile app, with fares starting from £36.99. 

The new connection brings the number of routes easyJet operates from Stansted to seven, further strengthening the airport’s European network. 

easyJet holidays has also introduced new package holiday options to Paris as part of the launch. 

Paris remains one of Europe’s most popular destinations, attracting visitors with its famous landmarks, art and culture, the Moulin Rouge and Disneyland Paris. 

The new service is expected to appeal to both holidaymakers and business travellers heading to and from the two capitals. 

Cairan Brannigan, Commercial Director at London Stansted Airport, said:

“We’re delighted to see easyJet’s new service to Paris take off from London Stansted today. The French capital is a fantastic addition to our growing European network and we’re confident the route will prove extremely popular with both leisure and business travellers from across the region. This new connection not only offers greater choice and convenience for our passengers, but also strengthens the strong links between London and one of Europe’s most iconic cities.”

Kevin Doyle, easyJet’s UK Country Manager, said:

“We are really pleased to be celebrating our new route to Paris which is proving to be popular with business and leisure travellers alike. We’re continuing to provide our customers across the region with even more choice and connectivity at fantastic fares, and allowing customers to travel with ease. We are proud to offer great value fares connecting two of Europe’s major Capitals and we look forward to welcoming customers onboard.”

Despite the cold and wet weather, teams rolled up their sleeves and got stuck into a wide range of projects, from tidying woodlands and sorting donations at a foodbank, to helping spruce up the garden at a local study centre.

One group spent two days at Hatfield Forest with the National Trust, clearing and burning leftover branches.

Ranger Kimberley Goodall from the National Trust said:

"It was great to have the extra helping hands of the Stansted Airport team join us for a couple of days volunteering. They were a big help and it was great to share some of our conservation work and the beauty of the Forest with them."

Curtis Walsh from the airport’s training team said it was really nice to get out of the usual airport environment and do something hands‑on that supports a local community project. He said: 

“It was tough work but brilliant. You could see the results straight away, and it was a great team‑building experience.” 

Another team, led by Mike Hardaker, Chief Asset and Development Director, headed over to Gorsefield Rural Studies Centre to help tidy up the garden. 

Even though it poured with rain, they worked hard to get everything ready for spring. 

Head of Centre Liz Franklin said: 

“The weather was pretty wet but the volunteers did a great job. Their work means pupils will have a much better space to learn in when they return.”  

Meanwhile, the Customer Operations team spent time at Harlow Foodbank after a busy Christmas period, helping to sort and pack food donations. 

All this work is part of London Stansted’s wider community programme, which supports local groups through hands‑on help, donations and education projects. 

Any local organisation looking for support can get in touch at community@stanstedairport.com.

- Financial services had its strongest quarter of the year, with construction businesses booming internationally

- Barometer from Manchester Airports Group and the Growing Together Alliance polls 2,000 businesses about their global trading habits

- Findings covering October-December identify opportunity to boost global trade in regions outside London to kick-start UK growth 

British exporters pivoted away from America over the last 12 months, sharpening their focus on European and eastern markets as the year progressed. The shift away from the US was most stark among manufacturers, as they targeted new territories to mitigate the impact of President Trump’s tariffs, according to the latest UK Trade Barometer.  

Their order books increasingly featured China, Japan, Australia and several EU nations over the course of the year – a trend that looks set to continue in 2026. 

Meanwhile, Britain's status as a services superpower shone through as finance firms recorded their strongest quarter yet in Q4. Not impacted by White House tariffs, America remained a top market, with Canada becoming increasingly important during 2025.  

Britain’s strength in supplying construction services was another key trend – the sector consistently recorded the highest percentage of firms reporting export uplifts during 2025 – sales to Japan surged during the year. 

Another consistent theme was the gulf between London and the regions when it came to export performance. 

That presents an opportunity for Ministers as they look to jump-start productivity through the delivery of the Government’s industrial strategy, according to the UK's largest airports group, MAG.  

The UK trade barometer surveys 2,000 businesses across the country every quarter. It is representative of industrial sectors and UK regions. 

Run in partnership with YouGov, it asks firms about their global trading habits in the past quarter and their expectations for the quarter ahead.  

The Barometer is delivered by MAG - which owns and operates Manchester, East Midlands and London Stansted - alongside the Growing Together Alliance of business groups.  

The latest findings cover Q4 and present the first full picture of the whole of 2025: 

Stagnant pond 

- The shift away from America was seen across all sectors. Just 24% said they had increased US sales in Q4, having fallen progressively from 29% at the start of 2025.

- When asked which global market they had entered for the first time in Q4, 14% said America, down from 20% in Q1.

- Looking forward, 13% of all businesses surveyed in Q4 said they expected to start trading America for the first time in the next three months – the same percentage as in Q1.

- By contrast, nine separate markets have grown sharply in popularity over the past 12 months. In Q4, 10% of firms said the planned to increase sales to Australia (vs Q1: 6%), with Spain (Q4: 6% vs Q1: 5%) and New Zealand (Q4: 6% vs Q1: 2%) also showing gains during the year. 

Making waves in different directions  

- Nearly half (46%) of all manufacturers said they had increased exports over the last three months in Q4. But only 16% said they had increased sales to America in Q4 – that has fallen from 25% in Q1.

- By the end of the year, 12% of manufacturers said they had grown sales to China, a rate that doubled from 6% in Q1. Japan increased from 4% in Q1 to 8% by Q4.

- It was a similar story when looking at markets manufacturers broke into for the first time. In the first three months of 2025, 15% reported breaking America. By Q4, it was just 8%.

- By contrast, by the end of year 9% of manufacturers said they had sold to China for the first time, up from 4% in Q1. Those saying they’d cracked Japan grew from 2% in Q1 to 9% in Q4.

- Australia also rose in importance, up from 4% in Q1 to 8% by the final quarter.

- Seven different EU states saw strong gains, with France, Germany and Spain become the most popular new European markets by the end of the 2025. 

Constructing a new narrative 

- Britain is a hotbed of construction skills and that appears to have been one of our strongest exports over the year – in January, 92% of construction firms said they had increased overseas sales

- That fluctuated all year – 64% in Q2; 86% in Q3 and 67% in Q4 – but at an average of 79%, it was the sector that saw the most export increases each quarter

- America started strongly, with 43% saying they grew sales there in Q1 but by Q4, that had dropped to just 18%

- By contrast, just 3% said they increased sales to Japan in Q1, which rocketed to 20% by Q4

- Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and New Zealand saw good increases over the year  

At your service 

- Financial services had its strongest quarter at the end of the year, with 59% reporting increased overseas sales, up 8% on Q3

- The year started with 25% saying they grew sales to the US and that’s exactly how it ended

- It was the sector with the highest sales increases to India – with 5% saying they grew sales there in Q4, while Canada grew in popularity (Q4: 11% vs Q1: 5%) 

Mind the gap 

- All parts of the UK had their weakest three months of overseas sales in Q4 – but the gap between London and the regions widened in the second half

- In Q4, 64% of London exporters said they grew overseas sales, compared with 50% in the North, 47% in the Midlands and 44% in the East of England – a 20 percentage point gulf in the most extreme example

- But in Q1just seven percentage points separated London (76% increasing exports) and the North (69%) and there was only a six percentage point gap in Q2 (London – 63%; North – 57%)

- There are also significant gaps in confidence. When asked about the quarter ahead, 44% of London firms expected to grow exports, with 33% expecting to enter a new market for the first time

- In the North, 27% expected to grow sales and 18% to enter a new market. In the Midlands, it was 19% and 13% respectively and in the East of England, it was 18% and 16%

- All regions expect sales to America to bounce back in the first part of this year. In London, 43% expect and uplift in US exports, up from 37% in Q3

- The Midlands had the highest percentage, with 49% expect an increase, up from 30% three months earlier. In the East, 43% expect an American sales increase, up from 34%

- The North was the only region to see fewer firms forecast export increases to America – 46% vs 50% in Q3 – but that was up on the first quarter of 2025, when just 40% expected sales growth 

MAG CEO Ken O’Toole said: 

“As an island trading nation, we know how important our export performance is to the overall economic health of the UK. This full-year data shows the direct impact global events can have on businesses’ order books – but it also shows that British exporters are skilled at diversifying and pivoting to new markets – harnessing the resilience and innovation of our globally trading firms will be important if we want to kick-start growth.“While some economic indicators point to a potential upturn in growth during the course of 2026, the fact fewer than one in three exporters expect to increase sales in the first part of this year paints a slightly different picture.  “As Government looks to deliver its Industrial Strategy, there is a clear opportunity to be grasped: by growing the number of firms that trade globally, we can boost productivity and living standards in regional growth corridors across the UK, from the Northern Growth Corridor to the Ox-Cam Arc. It is vital Government works with business to understand the steps it could take to help more firms trade internationally, including encouraging investment in the infrastructure that unlocks international connectivity.” 

Henri Murison, chair of the Growing Together Alliance, said: 

"Over the course of 2025 we’ve seen a clear recalibration in UK trade patterns. While America remains a vital market, particularly for manufacturers, exporters have increasingly diversified as conditions have shifted. This reflects geopolitical realities, but also the adaptability and resilience of UK firms. “The pivot to markets like Asia and Europe is notable – and if the Prime Minister can negotiate it then further reduced trade barriers with the latter it would make trade with countries in the European Union easier without allowing accusations of Brexit betrayal that a full-blown customs union could lead to.”  “The continued strength of London is welcome, and the priority should now be ensuring that export-led growth is not confined there but supports further increasing productivity across all regions. “With the Spring Statement this week, there is an opportunity to reinforce the economic fundamentals which the Chancellor has focused on. This will allow her to continue backing significant and ambitious growth across the North and OxCam corridors underpinned by infrastructure.” 

Regional insights: 

London: In the last three months: 

- 64% of exporters have increased sales to existing markets

- A 3% decrease on Q3

- Top markets: US (32%), Australia (15%) and France (12%)

- 47% started trading in a new market

- A 2% decrease on Q3

- Top markets: US (18%), Australia (11%) and Japan (11%)  

Next 3 months: 

- 44% are expecting to increase sales to existing markets

- A 5% decrease on Q3

- Top markets: US (43%), Australia (24%) and Germany (24%)

- 33% are expecting to trade in a new market

- A 1% increase on Q3

- Top markets: Italy (19%), Ireland (16%) and US (13%)  

East: Last three months: 

- 44% of exporters have increased sales to existing markets  

- A 13% decrease on Q3  

- Top markets: US (21%), Australia (13%) and Canada (9%)

- 24% started trading in a new market  

- A 18% decrease on Q3  

- Top markets: US (11%), Switzerland (6%) and Canada (5%)  

Next three months: 

- 18% expect to increase sales to existing markets  

- A 9% decrease on Q3  

- Top markets: US (43%), China (25%) and Germany (14%)  

- 16% expect to start trading in a new market  

- A 9% decrease on Q3  

- Top markets: US (30%), France (26%) and India (16%)  

During his visit, Mr Dean met with London Stansted’s Asset Maintenance Director, James Baker, and apprentices working as part of the airport’s engineering team who help to keep the airport’s infrastructure running smoothly 24 hours a day.

This followed a tour of the airport’s unique on-site college, run in partnership with Harlow College and the UK’s only further education facility based on an airport campus, which provides young people with opportunities to learn and gain qualifications across a host of aviation related courses to prepare them for a rewarding career in the sector.

The airport has 41 apprentices working across engineering, the airport fire service and customer service teams.

The airport college currently supports over 500 young people each year, and as the airport grows towards 51 million passengers a year over the next two decades, the ambition is for the college to double in size to help provide a pipeline of talent as the number of on-site jobs increases by more than 4,000 to 16,000 in total.

Josh Dean MP said:

"It was great to visit London Stansted Airport and the Stansted Airport College during National Apprenticeship Week, to see the positive impact they’re having on young people’s futures.

“Meeting apprentices from Hertford and Stortford and hearing about their journeys was so encouraging and I was impressed by the skills they’re gaining and the enthusiasm they have for learning. It’s fantastic to see these kinds of opportunities growing in our community, giving young people the confidence, skills and experience they need as they begin their working lives."

James Baker, London Stansted’s Asset Maintenance Director, said:

“It was great to welcome Josh Dean MP to the airport during a week that really helps shine a positive light on the valuable role apprenticeships play in the day-to-day operation of the airport, as well as how young people can ‘learn and earn’ while developing their skills on the job.

“Through our various apprenticeship schemes, we aim to showcase the fantastic opportunities that exist at the airport and help create career paths that will not only shape the future of the young people involved but also develop the skills and talent necessary for the long-term growth and success of the aviation industry.”

The airport saw more than 1.89 million passengers pass through the terminal in January 2026, up 2% on the same month last year. 

That meant Stansted’s rolling total for the 12-months ending January 2026 reached 30.07m, an increase of 1.3% on the previous year.  

The top three most popular countries during the month were Italy, Spain, and Turkey, while the busiest routes were Istanbul, Dublin and Edinburgh. 

All Stansted security lanes now have new technology scanners, so passengers no longer need to take liquids or electronics out of their bags, however government rules still apply meaning liquids must be in containers of 100ml or less.

The month also saw the airport host its first ever Aviation Careers Festival attended by over 500 students from across Essex and Hertfordshire giving them a hands‑on introduction to the exciting world of aviation.

 Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said:

“January was another good month for London Stansted where we delivered a strong passenger performance and built upon the momentum of our record-breaking 2025 where we topped 30m passengers for the first time ever at the airport. 

  “I’m also pleased our passengers continue to experience a smooth and efficient airport operation when choosing to fly from the airport, which we aim to maintain as we prepare for the expected 800,000 passengers who will passing through the terminal across the half-term holidays later this month. 

“In addition, we continue to make good progress on a number of key projects at the airport, including the extension of our security hall with the latest security equipment allowing all passengers to leave large electrical items and liquids bags in their hand baggage, and the construction of our on-site solar farm that will be helping power the airport this spring.”

The new 723 service will reduce journey times by up to 40 minutes compared with existing bus options, with a typical journey taking around 30 minutes. That makes it highly competitive with travelling by car, which takes around 22 minutes, while removing the cost and stress of airport parking.

The service also provides low-cost access to the airport with a single journey on the 723 costing £3.

Designed primarily for airport workers commuting to and from Stansted, the 723 will also offer a convenient option for airline passengers travelling for business or pleasure.

The route, launching on February 22, will serve Harlow town centre and areas around the M11 Junction 7A, improving access to the airport from parts of the town not previously served by a direct bus link.

Arriva South head of commercial, Michael Jennings, said: “This new service is about giving people a real alternative to the car when travelling to London Stansted.

“For airport workers in particular, reliability, journey time and cost really matter and the 723 delivers on all three.

“By offering a fast, direct and affordable connection from Harlow, we’re making it easier for people to choose the bus for everyday commuting as well as for flights, helping to reduce congestion and support travel choices which are better for the environment.”

London Stansted Airport’s surface access strategy manager Steve Mills said: “The new 723 service will be a great addition to the airport’s extensive local bus network, providing airport staff and local residents will a high-quality, fast and cost-effective direct service between Harlow to London Stansted. 

“We have worked in partnership with Arriva for a number of years to develop transport options that benefit the local community and provide convenient access to the airport. 

“Stansted continues to be the number one major airport for public transport use in the UK and new services such as the 723 will help us maintain and build on our proud record of nearly 50% of passengers travelling to and from the airport by bus, coach and train.”

Families from London and the East of England will be taking advantage of the half‑term break to enjoy some winter sun, head to the ski slopes, or visit friends and family abroad.  

This Saturday (14 Feb), which is also Valentine’s Day, is likely to be one of the busiest days. 

Popular winter sun destinations include the Canary Islands, southern Spain, Turkey and Dubai.  

Skiers will be flying to well‑known resorts via airports such as Geneva, Chambéry, Grenoble, Turin, Innsbruck and Zurich. 

Short European city breaks are also proving popular, with Edinburgh, Vienna, Amsterdam, Dublin and Barcelona among the top picks. 

With the busy half‑term period approaching, the airport is reminding passengers to prepare for a smoother journey through security. 

All Stansted security lanes now have new scanners, so passengers no longer need to take liquids or electronics out of their bags. 

However, Government rules still apply, meaning liquids must be in containers of 100ml or less. Usual exceptions, such as baby formula and breast milk, are still allowed. 

Full details on what passengers can take through security are available on London Stansted’s website, as well as on the UK Government’s website. 

Nick Millar, London Stansted’s Operations Director, said: 

“Our teams are ready to welcome passengers travelling through the airport over the half‑term break, and we want everyone to start their trip as smoothly as possible. There are a few simple things travellers can do that really help. We always suggest checking your airline’s advice on when to arrive, usually two to three hours before your flight, and taking a moment to review the hand‑luggage rules. With our new security scanners, you can leave liquids and electronics in your bag, but all liquids must still be in containers under 100ml. We also encourage passengers to plan their journey to the airport and check for any travel disruption before setting off.” 

Thanks to the airport’s extensive route network, offering more scheduled European connections than any other UK airport, couples can easily reach culture‑filled cities, relaxed coastal retreats, and historic towns.

From iconic Italian cities to a storybook French fortress town, these spots offer plenty of inspiration for an unforgettable Valentine’s break.

Venice, Italy – Romance on the water 

For many, Venice is the world’s most romantic city, and it’s hard to argue. Gondola rides along the peaceful canals, sunset views from the Rialto Bridge and evenings wandering the narrow alleyways make it a dream destination for partners looking for a fairytale setting. Panoramic views from St Mark’s Campanile offer an unforgettable perspective of the city.

Milan, Italy – For couples who love style 

Milan brings a buzzier energy, ideal for couples who want a mix of glamour and culture. Highlights include the world-famous La Scala opera house, rooftop views from the Duomo Cathedral and relaxing afternoons at Parco Sempione. With chic cafés, fashion houses and art galleries around every corner, it’s a sophisticated choice for a Valentine’s break.

Genoa, Italy – Italy’s best-kept secret 

For something more off the beaten track, Genoa is a colourful coastal city known for its winding lanes, grand piazzas and rich history. Couples can enjoy the lively atmosphere around Piazza delle Erbe, take a guided tour of the impressive Staglieno Cemetery or make a day trip to the picturesque seaside village of Portofino for peaceful walks and stunning views.

Carcassonne, France – A real-life fairytale 

A short flight from Stansted brings travellers to Carcassonne, one of France’s most enchanting medieval towns. Its fortified walls and castle create a storybook backdrop perfect for a romantic weekend. Visitors can wander across the historic Pont Vieux, explore the cobbled lower town or relax by the lakeside at Plage de Carcassonne. The area is also known for its excellent restaurants, including several with Michelin stars.

Barcelona, Spain – Sunshine, sea views and unforgettable evenings 

Barcelona blends beachside relaxation with rich Catalan culture. Couples can stroll hand‑in‑hand through the Gothic Quarter, enjoy tapas in atmospheric squares or take in sweeping city views from Park Güell. With its mild February climate and romantic waterfront sunsets, it’s perfect for a warmer Valentine’s escape.

Budapest, Hungary – Thermal baths and riverside romance 

Budapest’s charm lies in its dramatic architecture and soothing thermal spas. A dip in the Széchenyi Baths, a cruise along the Danube or a walk across the illuminated Chain Bridge all set the mood for a memorable Valentine’s break. The city’s cosy cafés and historic castle district are ideal for slower paced exploring.

Istanbul, Türkiye – East meets West 

A city unlike any other, Istanbul offers an atmospheric blend of ancient history and vibrant modern culture. Couples can wander through the Grand Bazaar, explore the stunning Hagia Sophia or relax on a Bosphorus boat trip at sunset. Its rich flavours, iconic skyline and unique ambiance make for an extraordinary romantic getaway.

Prague, Czech Republic – Storybook charm in the heart of Europe 

Prague’s fairytale spires and cobbled streets create an effortlessly romantic setting. A stroll along Charles Bridge at dawn, a visit to the magnificent Prague Castle or a cosy evening in one of the city’s traditional beer halls makes it ideal for couples who love history, architecture and old‑world charm.

Vienna, Austria – Elegant, musical and magical 

Vienna exudes timeless elegance with its grand boulevards, imperial palaces and world‑renowned coffee houses. Couples can enjoy classical concerts, take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic centre or indulge in pastries at a traditional café. For a sophisticated Valentine’s break, Austria’s capital is hard to beat.

Held at the airport’s Radisson Blu Hotel, the event brought together 20 airport employers, including UK Border Force, Essex Police, NATS, Jet2, Swissport, Titan Airways, Ryanair, Radisson, and several teams from Manchester Airports Group (MAG).

The students, aged 14-19, took part in hands‑on activities including flight simulators, engineering challenges and technology demonstrations, and heard from industry professionals about their roles and career journeys. The British Heart Foundation’s Start a Heart programme was also on hand, providing CPR training to hundreds of students.

Gareth Powell, Managing Director at London Stansted, opened the event alongside Cllr Petrina Lees, Leader of Uttlesford District Council. He said:

“We’re proud to have hosted such an inspiring event for local young people. As the largest single-site employer in the East of England, London Stansted offers a huge range of exciting career paths, and this festival gives students the chance to experience that first-hand. Our partners and colleagues did a fantastic job showcasing the skills and technology that keep our airport running.”

The festival is the first of three events funded through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Department for Transport’s Reach for the Skies initiative, which awarded almost £90,000 to help inspire future aviation talent across MAG airports. Further festivals will take place at Manchester Airport in February and East Midlands Airport in March.

Commenting on the Reach for the Skies initiative, Aviation Minister Keir Mather said:

“Through our Reach for the Sky programme we’ve invested over £800,000 in the last year – including £85,000 for Manchester Airports Group’s careers festivals – helping give thousands of young people opportunities to learn about the varied career paths into aviation. The UK has a proud aviation heritage, and alongside leading industry players, we’re inspiring young people from all backgrounds to see the sector as a place where they can thrive and build rewarding futures.”

Brenda Jefcoate, STEM Lead at the CAA, said:

“These events are a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn about the huge variety of careers in aviation, and we’re really excited to be supporting Manchester Airports Group in encouraging the next generation. With new technologies and challenges on the horizon, bringing in new talent is essential for the aviation system to grow, and we’re keen to support similar projects that connect with local communities.”

Students from 11 schools, along with learners from Stansted Airport College, gained direct insight from aviation professionals. Among them was Louis Mason from New Hall School, Chelmsford, who hopes to pursue a career as a pilot. He said:

“I had no idea how many different jobs there are at London Stansted or the different ways you can get into them. It was great to speak to people who work there and take part in the interactive activities. It’s really opened my eyes to future career options and made me even more excited about flying.”

Callie Dennis, Careers Lead at Forest Hall School in Stansted Mountfitchet, said the festival played an important role in raising aspirations among students:

“This has been a hugely important day for our students. It opened their eyes to the wide range of careers out there, many of which they probably didn’t even know existed. The students were incredibly excited, and events like this play a major role in raising aspirations, which is something we’re really focused on at the school.”

Victoria Clayden-Smith, Head of Centre at Stansted Airport College, said:

“Events like this are invaluable for our students. Meeting employers and taking part in interactive activities really brings careers to life and helps young people see the opportunities available to them.  It’s great to watch our students meet their potential employer and engage with the industry that they aspire to work in, these networking touchpoints boost our students confidence and prepare them for the world of work."

Students from Sir Frederick Gibberd College, Forest Hall School, Birchwood High School, Avanti Grange Secondary School, Helena Romanes School, Mark Hall Academy, Hertford Regional College, New Hall School, Notley High School, St Mark’s West Essex Catholic School and Passmores Academy joined learners from Stansted Airport College at the careers festival.

Passengers can fly direct from London Stansted to major winter gateways including Geneva, Chambéry, Grenoble, Turin and Zurich, providing easy access to some of the continent’s best‑known resorts such as Chamonix, Courchevel, Verbier, Serre Chevalier and Sestriere.

But it’s not just the traditional Alpine hotspots on offer. Stansted also connects skiers and snowboarders to lesser‑known resorts in countries including Bulgaria, Finland, Romania, Poland and Spain, as well as further afield in Morocco, giving winter sports fans a wide range of options this season.

Airlines including Ryanair, Jet2.com, easyJet, British Airways, Swiss and TUi are operating ski routes throughout the winter, offering flexibility for families planning a longer break, as well as those looking to squeeze in a last‑minute weekend on the slopes.

Lauren MacCarron, Travel Trade Manager at London Stansted, said: 

“With airlines including Ryanair, Jet2.com, easyJet, TUi and British Airways operating ski routes throughout the winter season, travellers have plenty of choice, whether it’s a family holiday, a long weekend, or a last-minute trip to the mountains. With a range of direct flights to major Alpine destinations and some fantastic alternative resorts, it’s quick and easy for passengers to reach the slopes from their local airport.” 

Ski destinations available from London Stansted this season: 

The Alps 

·                Basel – Ryanair 

·                Chambéry – Jet2.com, TUI Airways, British Airways. 

·                Grenoble – Jet2.com, Ryanair. 

·                Geneva – British Airways, Jet2.com, easyJet. 

·                Innsbruck – TUI Airways 

·                Klagenfurt – Ryanair 

·                Milan – Ryanair 

·                Turin – Ryanair,  TUI Airways 

·                Verona – Ryanair,  TUI Airways 

·                Vienna – Ryanair, Jet2.com 

·                Zurich – easyJet, Swiss.  

·                Salzburg – Ryanair, Jet2, TUI Airways. 

The Pyrenees 

·                Barcelona – Ryanair (for Andorra) 

·                Carcassonne – Ryanair (for Andorra) 

·                Girona – Ryanair (for Andorra) 

·                Lourdes/Tarbes – Ryanair (for Andorra) 

·                Toulouse – Ryanair (for Andorra) 

Sierra Nevada (Spain) 

·                Málaga – Ryanair, Jet2.com (for Sierra Nevada) 

Morocco 

·                Marrakech – Ryanair, Jet2.com (for Atlas Mountains) 

Finland 

·                Rovaniemi – Ryanair (for Levi/Ruka) 

Poland 

·                Kraków – Ryanair (for Zakopane region) 

Romania 

·                Bucharest – Ryanair (for Sinaia/Poiana Brașov) 

Bulgaria 

·                Sofia – Ryanair (for Sofia Province; Bansko, Borovets) 

Slovakia 

·                Bratislava – Ryanair (For Jasná) 

UK 

·                Edinburgh – Ryanair, easyJet 

·                Glasgow – easyJet 
 

For more information on destinations and flight schedules, visit Flights and Hotels | Book Holidays | London Stansted Airport. 

The fund is open to groups based within ten miles of the airport and supports a really wide range of projects, from improving village halls and sports pitches to backing wellbeing charities, green spaces and community facilities.  

Grants of up to £5,000 are available to help bring projects to life and support initiatives that improve community life, leisure, conservation and the local environment.   

There’s also a Flagship Grant of up to £50,000, awarded each year to one standout project.  

Last year alone, the Fund awarded more than £200,000 to over 60 local organisations, helping to make a real difference across the area.  

Cllr Maggie Sutton, Chair of the Stansted Airport Community Fund, said:  

“We’re really proud of how the Fund is supporting local communities. Whether it’s a sports club, a village hall or a wellbeing or conservation project, the funding is helping some fantastic ideas take shape. We’d love to hear from even more groups ahead of next month's deadline, especially anyone with a new idea or a project that could do with a boost.”  

Applications are reviewed quarterly by a committee made up of independent members, local authority representatives and airport staff.  

Find out more and apply here: https://www.stanstedairport.com/community/community-support/community-funds/ 

A host of new route launches and seat capacity increases saw the airport record 16 days when passenger numbers topped 100,000, up from 10 last year.   

The airport completed the record year with its busiest ever December, driven by strong demand across the festive season from passengers taking advantage of the great value, convenience and choice of more than 200 destinations on offer from their local airport. 

The airport handled 2.26m passengers in December, a 1.6% increase on the same month in 2024. That also included thousands of overseas visitors choosing the airport as their gateway to London and the east of England over Christmas and the new year period. 

The year saw Dublin and Istanbul as the two most popular destinations with nearly 1m passengers flying to and from Stansted to each location, with Edinburgh once again completing the top three. 

Turkey joined Spain and Italy as the top countries for passengers, replacing Poland in third place. It is set to get even more popular with the launch of 15 weekly flights to Istanbul by Turkish Airlines in March that will also provide passengers with convenient access to more than 350 onward connections across Asia, Africa, Australia and beyond. 

Last month the airport also secured planning permission to increase its annual passenger limit up to 51m, laying the foundations for the long-term sustainable growth of London Stansted and enables it to maximise the full potential of our existing runway. 

During the year, a number of key investment projects made significant progress, including the opening a new domestic arrival building as well as the rollout of a multi-million pound programme to install the latest security equipment, allowing all passengers to leave large electrical items and liquids bags in their hand baggage.  

The airport also broke ground on the development of its on-site solar farm, which is designed to meet the airport’s current and increasing electricity demands and will support its commitment to make operations net zero carbon by no later than 2038. The project is due for completion in coming months. 

Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, said: 

“It was a really successful year for London Stansted in 2025, the busiest year in our history as we welcomed a record-breaking 30m passengers in a 12-month period for the very first time. 

“We have built real momentum behind our vision for Stansted and, given the strong economic performance of our region, our available runway capacity and investment in new facilities, the airport’s future is looking very bright. 

“The strong passenger growth during 2025 was driven by many of our airline partners increasing capacity, adding more seats and choice of destinations, particularly Ryanair, Pegasus and Jet2.com, and we’re confident we will continue to grow passenger numbers and provide even more choice of airlines and destinations in the year ahead. 

“The fact we are the airport of choice for an ever-increasing number of passengers is great testament to the hard work and dedication of our colleagues and airport partners, as we strive to deliver the best possible airport experience each and every day. 

“As we look to the future, we were delighted to last month receive the green light to increase our annual passenger limit to 51m, which paves the way for us to make best use of the existing single runway and grow passenger volumes towards the new limit over the next two decades.”