Stansted set for 800,000 half term passengers

More than 800,000 passengers are expected to fly to and from Stansted over the October half-term holiday.

Friday (October 21) is predicted to be the busiest day, which coincides with schools across the airport’s catchment area breaking up for the holiday.

Turkey, the Canary Islands, mainland Spain, and Portugal are the top destinations for short-haul trips, while Dubai is popular for long-haul breaks.

The airport’s chief operating officer Jonathan Fowler said: “Following on from what was our busiest summer season for three years, and a period where we were able to deliver a stable and resilient operation with few flight cancellations and short queue times, we are now gearing up for what we anticipate to being a very busy half-term holiday.

“We expect more than 800,000 passengers to pass through Stansted during the week, so to minimise any unnecessary delays at the airport, we recommend that passengers prepare for the security checks before leaving home and follow their airline’s advice about when to arrive at the terminal for check-in or bag drop to make sure their holidays get off to a stress-free and enjoyable start. 

“Passengers should also check for any road or rail disruptions that could affect their journey to and from the airport and allow more time if necessary.”