DALLAS — London Stansted Airport (STN) capped off a strong winter season with a record-breaking March, solidifying its busiest-ever 12-month period.

The record growth in passenger traffic is attributed to a combination of factors, including a gradually flourishing European route network, operational efficiency, and the timely return of the Stansted Express train service.

Record Numbers

In March 2024, a staggering 2.18 million passengers traveled through Stansted, surpassing the previous record set in 2019 by a significant margin of nearly 80,000 additional passengers. This impressive number further bolstered STN’s annual total, reaching 28.5 million passengers – an 11.8% increase year-on-year.

Gareth Powell, London Stansted's Managing Director, expressed his delight at this achievement.

"I'm really pleased we were able to round off what was our busiest and most successful winter season at London Stansted with yet another record-breaking month in March, our sixth successive busiest-ever passenger month," said Gareth Powell, London Stansted's Managing Director.

Operational Efficiency, Connectivity Drive Passenger Growth

A key factor contributing to STN’s success is its focus on operational efficiency. The airport boasts exceptional performance, with 100% of departing passengers clearing security in under 15 minutes during March, and average queue times hovering around just four minutes even during peak departure periods.

Mr. Powell further highlighted the importance of this aspect stating, “It's very clear our passengers really enjoy the fantastic range of destinations we are able to offer at London Stansted, plus the reliable, smooth, and efficient airport operation."

The winter season alone saw over 10 million passengers passing through the airport, with a significant boost attributed to the return of the Stansted Express service offering four trains per hour in December. This enhanced connectivity made STN a highly convenient option for both UK residents and international visitors.

Growth Sprouts Across Routes, Countries

Popular European destinations in Spain, Italy, and Poland remained in demand throughout the year to March 2024. However, some routes experienced particularly significant growth compared to the previous year.

Stansted's extensive European network, encompassing popular destinations like Dublin (DUB), Istanbul (IST), and Edinburgh (EDI), coupled with its user-centric operations, proved highly attractive to travelers.

Destinations like Dubai (DXB), fueled by Emirates' (EK) swift return to a double-daily service, alongside Switzerland, Iceland, and Moldova, witnessed a surge in passenger numbers.

Looking Ahead: A Busy Summer, Continued Growth

With a record-breaking winter behind them, STN is now gearing up for an even busier summer season, anticipating the highest passenger volume in the airport's history. To accommodate this influx, Mr. Powell announced plans to continue delivering record passenger numbers through various initiatives.

“In preparation to welcome millions of passengers heading away this summer, or overseas tourists choosing Stansted as their gateway to the UK, we are recruiting even more colleagues to join our teams and upgrading many facilities and services to enhance the passenger experience as demand to fly from London Stansted continues to grow at pace," said Gareth Powell, London Stansted's Managing Director.