Stansted posts new passenger high with record-breaking 2024

The airport rounded off the record year with its busiest ever December as strong demand from travellers chose to fly from their local airport over the festive period. 

Offering a choice of 200 destinations, the airport handled 2.23 million passengers in December, a 7.4 per cent increase compared to the same month in 2023.

The year overall saw Dublin, Istanbul and Edinburgh as the most popular destinations, while Spain, Italy, and Poland were the top countries for passengers.

Dubai also remained a key destination, with travellers from the region choosing the ever-popular Emirates service, a success further highlighted by the opening of a luxury business lounge at the airport in October. 

The airport’s cargo operations experienced significant growth, reinforcing its role as a vital hub for regional businesses and global trade. In 2024, Stansted handled 307,675 tonnes of cargo, up 15.6 per cent on the previous 12 months. December alone saw 23,607 tonnes processed, maintaining levels from 2023.

Operational performance in December remained strong, with 99 per cent of passengers passing through security in under 15 minutes, and an average queue time of just over 3 minutes during the busiest departure peaks.

These milestones coincide with the airport's ongoing £1.1 billion transformation project, with several major initiatives set to launch in 2025.

In the coming months the airport will also be engaging with the local community to share and discuss the recently launched draft Sustainable Development Plan. This forward-looking strategy outlines Stansted’s vision for sustainable growth over the next 20 years.

Stansted Managing Director, Gareth Powell, said: “It was a fantastic year for London Stansted in 2024 and I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished. Welcoming a record-breaking 29.76 million passengers is great testament to the dedication of our team and the continued trust of our passengers and partners in the airport.”