The London Stansted Airport has a fascinating history that began during World War II. Beginning in 1943, the area was known as the RAF Stansted Mountfitchet and served as a maintenance depot for aircraft as well as a bomber airfield. Beginning immediately after the war, the same space held German prisoners of war captive until 1947. The first terminal of the airport opened in 1969 as a way to relieve congestion in the two larger and busier airports of London, Heathrow, and Gatwick. Additionally, it was designed to operate at lower overall costs than the other airports, meaning several budget airlines were attracted to the location. In the 1990s, long haul flights began operating out of Stansted as well.
London Stansted Airport has just one passenger terminal, and in recent years an average of 20 million passengers arrives or departs from it annually. While many low-cost airline carriers operate in Standsted, Ryan Air calls the airport it's base and operates flights to over 100 destinations from Stansted. Other carriers using the airport include EasyJet, Thomas Cook Airlines, Thomson Airways, Atlas Jet, and Belle Air. The top 5 destinations to and from Stansted include Dublin, Malaga, Alicante, Rome, and Milan.
The facilities at London Stansted include everything that a traveler might need on a short or long haul journey. In addition, there are countless dining and shopping options to keep passengers happy and entertained as they wait for their upcoming flights. From a quick sandwich and a glass of wine to a full 3-course dinner, the restaurants in Stansted offer a choice for any time constraint or budget. Browse the shops, many of which offer duty-free items, for clothes to wear on your holiday or souvenirs to bring home from your holiday.
