General Atomics

London Stansted Airport enjoys its busiest month ever

Last month Stansted Airport beat its previous monthly record, setting a new all time high of over 3.1 million passengers.

Stansted
Photo: MAG

London Stansted Airport has recorded the busiest month in the airport’s history as it welcomed more than 3.1 million passengers in July.

The monthly total was up 6.3% on July last year and set a new all-time monthly record that beat the previous high of August 2025.

The airport’s rolling annual passenger total now stands at 30.5 million, an increase of 1.8% on the previous 12 months.

The airport also saw daily passenger numbers top 100,000 on 18 days during July, the most in any individual month at Stansted.

The record-breaking month saw demand soar as families headed away for the summer holidays, with many passengers taking advantage of Stansted’s extensive European network to enjoy short breaks as well as longer holidays.

Spain, Italy and Turkey were the most popular countries served from the airport during July, while Istanbul, Dublin and Majorca topped the list of busiest individual routes.

How Stansted is increasing long-haul connectivity

Gareth Powell, Managing Director of London Stansted, said: “July was a real landmark month for London Stansted with more than 3.1 million passengers choosing to travel through the airport for the first time in our history.

“These record-breaking figures reflect the strength of our route network and the choice, value and convenience we offer passengers. Whether it’s a family holiday, a city break, visiting friends and family or a business trip, Stansted continues to provide access to more destinations than ever before.

“We’re also seeing some changing travel habits, with many people now taking a number of shorter breaks over the summer rather than one longer holiday. Our extensive European network is perfectly placed to meet that demand, giving passengers great choice across the continent.

“At the same time, long-haul connectivity from Stansted has been boosted with Emirates recently returning to double-daily flights between London Stansted and Dubai, allowing more people to connect onwards to 140 global destinations.

“And we’re continuing to invest and work with our partners to provide even more choice and enhance the passenger experience at the airport.

“July saw the start of a trial of overnight Friday services on the Stansted Express, which has been very well received by passengers, and just last week we announced the appointment of Farrans to build our new Skylink walkways, marking the next major phase of our transformation programme as we continue to deliver new facilities for passengers.”

Related

ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS Charity Cycle Ride group photo
ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS members are taking on a five-stage, 350-mile charity cycle from Belfast to Bristol, raising money for three causes while connecting colleagues and showcasing industry along the route.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport reopening: What needs to happen before flights return
Doncaster Sheffield Robin Hood Airport building exterior
Doncaster Sheffield Airport reopening: What needs to happen before flights return
Doncaster Sheffield Airport is moving closer to reopening after closing in 2022. Here is the latest on the work still required.
Aerospace Insights

11 Aug 2026

Heathrow loses Europe’s busiest airport crown to Istanbul as third runway push grows
Heathrow Airport
Heathrow loses Europe’s busiest airport crown to Istanbul as third runway push grows
Istanbul handled almost 300,000 more passengers than Heathrow in July, as the capacity-constrained UK hub seized on its loss of the European top spot to strengthen the case for a third runway.
Aerospace Most Read

11 Aug 2026

ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS Charity Cycle Ride group photo
ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS members are taking on a five-stage, 350-mile charity cycle from Belfast to Bristol, raising money for three causes while connecting colleagues and showcasing industry along the route.
UK targets Russian banks and shadow fleet in new sanctions package
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham welcomed President Zelenskyy to the UK.
UK targets Russian banks and shadow fleet in new sanctions package
Following President Zelenskyy's recent visit to the UK, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has introduced a range of sanctions on individuals and businesses helping facilitate Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Defence

11 Aug 2026

British Army trainees complete first CFS-endorsed drone operator course
British Army Eagle UAS training
British Army trainees complete first CFS-endorsed drone operator course
British Army personnel have completed the first Central Flying School-endorsed operator course for the Eagle uncrewed aerial system, marking a step towards more formalised drone training across the force.
Defence

11 Aug 2026

ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS Charity Cycle Ride group photo
ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS members are taking on a five-stage, 350-mile charity cycle from Belfast to Bristol, raising money for three causes while connecting colleagues and showcasing industry along the route.
HydroGNSS becomes first ESA Scout mission to complete in-orbit commissioning
HydroGNSS coherent channel detecting surface water at a high resolution, even when under a vegetation canopy.
HydroGNSS becomes first ESA Scout mission to complete in-orbit commissioning
Designed, built and operated by Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) for ESA, the HydroGNSS satellites are now able to provide data to researchers worldwide.
Member News Space

11 Aug 2026

UK opens £37m space infrastructure fund to take technologies from lab to mission
An artistic impression of the CLEAR mission
UK opens £37m space infrastructure fund to take technologies from lab to mission
A new £37 million UK Space Agency funding round will support the testing, manufacturing and scale-up infrastructure needed to help promising space technologies move from the laboratory towards commercial deployment and operational missions.
Most Read Space

11 Aug 2026

ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS Charity Cycle Ride group photo
ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS members are taking on a five-stage, 350-mile charity cycle from Belfast to Bristol, raising money for three causes while connecting colleagues and showcasing industry along the route.
National Police Workforce and Wellbeing Survey results published
Police on patrol to protect Jewish citizens
National Police Workforce and Wellbeing Survey results published
The National Police Workforce and Wellbeing Survey 2026 - administered independently by Leapwise on behalf of Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS) - is the largest of its kind ever conducted, providing a clear picture of the pressures police face in keeping us safe
Security

11 Aug 2026

Aurrigo to increase airport safety
SENTRY test vehicle.
Aurrigo to increase airport safety
The benefits of deploying autonomous vehicles for routine tasks at UK airports is to be investigated in controlled environments, prior to use in real airport conditions, following Aurrigo's award of government funding.