London Stansted airport records ‘busiest day in history’

London Stansted said it recorded the busiest day in its history after more than 107,000 passengers passed through the terminal on 27 October.

The new daily record beat the previous high of 104,000, set on 23 August, and is the fourth time the record has been broken in 2024.

Strong demand for family holidays and short breaks, particularly during half-term, also saw Stansted Airport record its busiest ever October.

Destinations like Turkey, the Canaries, Spain, and Portugal were the most popular, while the number of passengers flying into Stansted also reached new levels.

More than 2.6 million passengers used the airport in October and 99% of passengers passed through security in 15 minutes or less with an average queue time of two minutes during the main departure peaks.

Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s managing director, said it was “an incredible achievement” and its investment programme would benefit passengers in the future.

“The five-year programme will secure links to even more global destinations, helping transform the airport journey,” he said.

Last month it was announced that more than £2bn would be pumped into expanding two separate transport gateways in Essex.

DP World, the owner of P&O Ferries, announced its much anticipated £1bn plan to make London Gateway “Britain’s largest container port”.

The Department for Transport (DfT) also said £1.1bn would be spent on an expansion project at London Stansted Airport.