Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport is located thirty miles north of London in the county of Essex in the district of Uttlesford. Initially the area was used as an airfield created by the Americans for use in World War Two. The name was taken from the nearby village of Stansted Mountfitchet.

The airfield was used to house over a thousand US service men and was the start of over 100 air missions during the war.

In 1946 the first charter flight left Stansted, using ex-RAF planes to carry cargo, one of the flight engineers working on the service was Freddie Laker who went on to run his own budget airline.

The airfield continued to be used for military and cargo operations until 1985 when after a long public enquiry permission was given to build London’s third airport fit to handle 8million passengers a year.

After six years of building the airport was opened in 1991 by the Queen, the airport became an instant success and continued to grow in popularity with the introduction of low cost airlines.

In 1999 the airport received funding to take enable it to carry 15million passengers a year and 25million by 210. A new runway has been given the go ahead in order to cope with the increased capacity, and by 2010 it is estimated over £1billion will have been spent on the airport.

The expansion process has faced significant opposition from local authorities but work is still scheduled to take place.

The current terminal building is a large structure with three boarding piers, facilities include a host of popular shops and restaurants, a bureau de change and internet access. Car hire as available from inside the terminal from various car rental firms. There is also a short stay car park with space for over 300 cars, long stay parking is also available a short ten minute ride from the terminal services every twenty minutes by a free bus.

Beneath the terminal is a train station that offers trains to Cambridge and the Midlands every hour.

The airport now offers flights to over 50 holiday hotspots from over 25 airlines.

Stansted Airport, London. 7 hidden cameras. 14 undercover actors. 1 unexpected performance…