Stansted airport is planning an £8million upgrade of its departures area as part of a larger £260 million expenditure programme. The programme includes a refit of the main terminal building which reflects the will to bring more passengers and additional airlines to Stansted airport, including long haul lights. Announcing the plans at the future travel experience industry conference, Stansted’s managing director, Andrew Harrison said this was Manchester Airport’s group vision for transforming both passenger and airline experience at Stansted airport. Manchester airport group, acquired the then loss making Stansted airport from BAA group in 2012 and has since returned the airport to profitability and growth. It is currently the fastest growing airport in the UK.
The airport’s growth strategy is to transform passenger experience in areas where they spend most of their time. Thus the investment in lounges and the main terminal. Stansted’s new escape lounge was also unveiled among the plans fronted by the airport’s management. The lounge will be the first ever for the airport in its 24 years of existence. The main terminal will include multiple electronic device charging points, new seating, refurbished restrooms and improved Wi-Fi connections.
Stansted is pushing its ambition of having a richer mix of airlines both long-haul and short haul to put it squarely in control of the London –Stansted – Cambridge economic corridor. The Stansted’s boss said, the investments they make are not just about the money but the value they add to both their customers and to their airline partners. Stansted has already committed £80 million, which has seen a new security area and a new departures terminal. Cafés, bars and restaurants will hopefully be open by this spring. 18 retail outlets are also expected to come up in the coming months.