FAQs

Why does Stansted need to expand?
Following a consultation process that incorporated the views of half a million people, in December 2003 the Government published its White Paper ‘The Future of Air Transport’. The White Paper demonstrated the economic and social importance of the expansion of aviation, while recognising that its environmental impacts must be addressed and that airports should maximise their existing capacity.

The White Paper highlighted the current situation at British airports. Demand is projected to be between two and three times the current levels by 2030 and major airports are already close to full capacity. Failure to expand capacity will have a negative impact on the British economy and prevent travellers having the freedom to fly.

Central to the Government’s plans is the construction of a new full-length runway in the south-east of England, the first to be built here in 50 years. The White Paper stated that the runway should be built at Stansted, subject to planning approval.

How does Stansted plan to achieve expansion?
The first responsibility of the airport is to make better use of the existing single runway. Stansted is the fourth largest airport in the UK (passenger numbers) already serving over 22 million passengers a year. It has permission to serve up to 25 million passengers, and is expected to reach this figure in around 2008. We intend to apply for planning permission for an increase to above 25 million passengers – this can be accommodated both within the existing airport boundary and using the existing runway. BAA has earmarked over half a billion pounds to invest in this expansion.

Should we receive permission to expand the capacity of the airport within its current boundary, we shall then seek planning permission for a second runway in 2007. The new runway project is called Stansted Generation 2 (G2) and will enable the airport to grow to 70-80 million passengers a year. We assume the outcome of the subsequent public inquiry would be announced around 2008. Subject to planning permission, the earliest date for the new runway to be operational is 2013..

When do you expect to reach full capacity on the existing runway?
The full capacity of the existing runway is 35 million passengers per annum. We believe that this number could be reached by about 2015..

Are you involving the local community as you plan the growth and development of Stansted?
We recognise our responsibility to the community and aim to be a good neighbour. At every stage of the expansion process we have consulted on our plans with the local communities around the airport – and we will continue to do so. We have communicated with local stakeholders on a number of issues such as noise and blight. We have hosted neighbourhood meetings to meet members of the community face-to-face and deal with their questions on G2. We hold regular noise briefings at different towns and villages, and keep in regular contact with the wider community through publications such as Plane Talk, the community news bulletin from Stansted Airport.

What are you doing for people whose property values may be affected by a second runway?
We have put in place three voluntary schemes to deal with property blight caused by the proposed new runway. In April 2004 we introduced the Home Value Guarantee Scheme to compensate property owners whose homes fell within the proposed expanded airport boundary. Even though legal compensation through Compulsory Purchase Orders is not due until planning consent is given, BAA recognises that some properties will be blighted much earlier. So we have offered to purchase the affected properties at June 2002 index-linked prices. A third of homeowners have applied for the scheme.

In January 2005, we introduced the Home Owner Support Scheme, to help those who own property beyond the new proposed boundary, but who live closest to the site of the proposed runway and are therefore likely to be worst affected by medium-to-high levels of noise (66 decibels or more). They will have the index-linked value of their homes and commercial property guaranteed for up to 15 years. BAA is promising to buy property at a market rate, index-linked from June 2002, once BAA confirms its intention to proceed with the construction of the new runway.

In November 2004, we launched a Special Cases Scheme targeted at those close to the proposed expanded boundary of the airport, but who are outside the defined boundary of the Home Owner Support Scheme.
What are you doing about developing the transport infrastructure around the airport to accommodate a second runway?

The development of the second runway will take place in phases. BAA Stansted is directly responsible for building and developing the second runway within the extended airport boundary. Beyond that, there are three other parts of the project that involve other agencies. They are:

• Road infrastructure: BAA is working with the Highways Agency to assess the capability and development of the surrounding roads and motorways to provide access to an airport serving 80 million passengers per annum
• Rail infrastructure: BAA is working with the Department for Transport (DFT) to consider the necessary rail development issues
• Airspace Management: National Air Traffic Services (NATS) is currently examining the structure of the air space in the south-east and how future growth in air travel will be managed safely.

The final planning application for Stansted G2 will include the four key parts of the overall project.

Learn more about the future expansion of Stansted. (This link will launch in a new window)