Feb 8 2007
BAA today announced details of its development proposal for a second runway at Stansted. The opening costs for the new runway and terminal have been reduced by 17.5% to £1.4 billion, and the land take required has fallen by 22% on BAA’s December 2005 estimate.
The new runway and terminal, which will have an initial capacity of 10 million passengers a year, are planned to open in 2015. The full development of Stansted will not be complete until 2030, when the airport will be capable of handling 68 million passengers a year. In 2003 the Government estimated the cost of this development to be £4 billion, with a land take of 700 hectares. BAA’s detailed project plan has cut this land take by 31% to 486 hectares, and reduced overall costs by 43% to £2.2billion.
Stephen Nelson, Chief Executive Officer, BAA Ltd, said:
“In its December 2006 Air Transport White Paper progress report the Government reiterated its policy for a second runway at Stansted. Our announcement today brings that one step closer. With an opening cost of £1.4billion and a 22% less land take, we are confident of delivering a development that’s fit for purpose – it will provide the increased runway capacity that the UK economy needs, good facilities for passengers and value for money for airlines. We have also worked hard to reduce the impact on the local environment.”
Subject to planning permission, the £1.4 billion development, which would open in 2015 and accommodate an extra 10 million passengers a year, would provide:
- A parallel runway, 3, 048 metres long and 2,200 metres to the south-east of the existing runway;
- New parallel taxiways and cross-taxiways connecting the new runway with the existing runway
Around 42 aircraft stands and associated piers to provide access to and from the aircraft;
A passenger terminal building, with passenger, baggage and aircraft handling facilities;
- increased car parking - passenger terminal area, long-term, mid-term and staff car parking;
- Improved public transport including enhancements to bus and rail stations; and
- A new control tower