The UK government today recommended that London's Stansted Airport be permitted to almost double its capacity.
UK Minister for Transport Glenda Jackson says the government is recommending increasing the permitted level of passenger air transport movements (PATMs) at Stansted to 185,000 annually, replacing the current limit of 120,000 PATMs.
If the bill passes, it would represent an increase in the passengers Stansted is able to handle a year from eight million a year to around 15 million.
The recommendation follows extensive public consultation by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR).
London Stansted's traffic grew 35.4% in BAA's last financial year and the airport operator plans to start building early next year.
Source: Flight Daily News
