STANSTED AIRPORT GUIDE (STN)

QUICK FACTS Name: Stansted Airport IATA Code: STN ICAO Code: EGSS Opened: 1932 Terminals: 1 Runways: 1 Destinations served:100+ Passengers: 24m (2007)

HISTORY

During World War II, Stansted Airport played an important role in the fueling and loading of bombers for both the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force.  Stansted Airport was first opened in 1943 and this was its primary function throughout the duration of the war. It was primarily used by the United States Army Air Force for the maintenance of its heavy bombers, as well as the refueling and rearming functions. 

At the end of the war, the Air Ministry took full control of Stansted Airport and it was used for storage of RAF equipment and was also used for holding German prisoners of war.  In 1949, Stansted Airport was relinquished to civilian control.  This is when small domestic charter flights began flying to select locations in the U.K. and this was the true birth of Stansted Airport as it is known today. 

In 1954, there was a brief discussion of the United States military returning to Stansted Airport and extending the runway for incorporation into NATO, but that idea was never followed through to completion.  A private group called BAA took control of Stansted Airport in 1966 and they continue to hold it to this day.  Allowing only local charter flights at its inception, BAA and the British government soon realized that Stansted Airport would need to be developed further to start taking some of the workload off of London’s two other, increasingly busier airports.

As popularity began to show at Stansted Airport, the first official terminal was opened in 1969 to the relief of regular London travelers.  Looking to increase its capacity even further, plans were made in 1984 to expand both the runways and the terminal at Stansted Airport.  Beginning in 1988, a complete restructuring of the terminal began, aiming to be able to support 15 million passengers a year.  The world-renown architect Lord Foster designed the incredible new terminal and it was finally completed in 1991.

Soon after the completion of the new terminal and Stansted Airport parking facilities, international flights began trickling in, the first being via American Airlines.  As you can see, the history of Stansted Airport is long and colorful and has taken a long road to get to its prestigious standing that it holds today.  Stansted Airport now serves as the U.K.’s third busiest airport and is London’s third largest airport ferrying right around 20 million people a year on average.