Development will allow airport to handle an extra million passengers a year

Work on a £40m extension to Stansted Airport’s main terminal is due to begin this week, according to BAA.

Standstead arrivals

The extension will add almost 6,000m2 of floor space to the international terminal, providing extra space for baggage carousels and enlarging the immigration and arrivals areas. It will be 36m x 162m, and its roof will be formed of 22 diagrids and six support trees.

The development, which will open in June 2008, will allow the airport to handle an extra million passengers a year. Almost 24m passengers currently pass through its gates.

BAA Stansted business development and planning director Nick Barton said: “This is clearly the right time to bring forward this exciting new project. We are committed to providing the best possible airport experience at Stansted, and this significant investment will create additional space and facilities that will benefit both passengers and business partners alike.”

Mace is the main management and construction contractor, while the designs are by architect Pascall & Watson.