The Essex airport saw 28.5 million passengers during the year, an 11.8% increase on the previous 12 months – and the most passengers in a single year since it opened.
The record Stansted passenger numbers exceeded the previous annual peak of 24.3 million passengers set in 2015/16.
A London Stansted Airport statement said: “Operational performance in March remained very strong, with 100% of departing passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less, and with an average queue time of under four minutes during the main departure peaks.”
The airport added 2023/24 saw the busiest-ever Stansted winter season, with ten million passengers between November 2023 and March 2024
It said: “Winter passenger numbers were boosted by the welcome return of the full four trains per hour service on the Stansted Express in December, making it easier for visitors to the UK and Londoners alike to choose Stansted.”.
The most popular flights from Stansted in the year to March 2024 were to Dublin, Istanbul and Edinburgh, with the most popular countries being Spain, Italy and Poland, the airport added.
Emirates’ twice-daily Stansted-Dubai flights saw the biggest year-on-year growth.
Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, commented: “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.
“We are now gearing up for what we predict will be our busiest ever summer. 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.”
