London Stansted Airport Sets All-Time Passenger Record With Over 107,000 Travelers in One Day
London Stansted Airport (STN) has reached a major milestone, recording its busiest day ever on Sunday, October 27, 2024. Over 107,000 passengers passed through its terminals, marking the fourth time this year that the airport has broken its daily traffic record. This surge in travelers underscores the ongoing recovery and growth in the aviation sector following the pandemic.
Half-Term Holiday Travel Boosts Numbers
The record-breaking day coincided with the start of the UK’s half-term school holiday, a popular time for families to embark on leisure trips before the winter season. Stansted’s Managing Director, Gareth Powell, attributed the achievement to the airport's operational efficiency and strong connections to key holiday destinations, stating:
"To record the busiest day in the history of London Stansted in late October is an incredible achievement and a powerful reflection of reliability, great choice, value, and operational efficiency the airport and our airline partners are able to offer our passengers."
The airport’s network, heavily focused on low-cost and leisure routes, proved ideal for the surge in demand. Popular destinations for the half-term holiday included Portugal, Spain, and Turkey.
Exceptional Operational Performance
Despite the record-breaking traffic, London Stansted maintained its commitment to smooth operations. The airport reported that 99% of passengers cleared security within 15 minutes during October, with average peak wait times of just two minutes. Powell commended the efforts of the airport staff, emphasizing their role in providing a seamless travel experience.
A Historic October and Growing Demand
October 2024 was not just marked by a single record-breaking day but also became Stansted’s busiest October on record, with 2.67 million passengers—97,000 more than October 2023. Events such as three NFL games in London contributed significantly to this growth, drawing fans from across Europe.
Looking at the bigger picture, Stansted welcomed 29.45 million passengers in the 12 months ending October 2024, reflecting a 6.7% year-on-year increase. With the Christmas travel rush approaching, these achievements set a strong foundation for continued growth at the airport.
Future Outlook
As one of the UK’s primary hubs for low-cost airlines and leisure travel, London Stansted’s robust performance highlights the resilience and potential of the aviation industry in a post-pandemic world. With reliable operations, strategic partnerships, and a wide array of destinations, Stansted is well-positioned to handle future demand surges.
