The first section of a new check-in area at Stansted opened to passengers yesterday as part of the airport’s £600 million transformation project.
Eight new check-in desks are the first of 30 being installed this year to handle growing passenger numbers.
The desks form part of the first phase of work which also includes upgrades to the airfield, car parks and new upper deck seating areas to create more space in the departure lounge.
A second phase will see a £130 million arrivals building built, which is due to open in 2020 adjacent to the current terminal.
The arrivals facility will include larger immigration and baggage reclaim areas, new shops, improved access for onward transport options and a public forecourt.
Work will start in spring 2020 to reconfigure the existing terminal to make it dedicated to departing passengers.
Stansted aims to be will be the only UK airport operating dedicated arrivals and departures terminals by 2022.
Transformation director Paul Willis said: “We’re delighted to reach this major milestone in our transformation programme. We’ve been working hard since the end of last year and it’s been fantastic to watch the project move away from the planning stage and come to life.
“Over the coming years, the whole landscape of the main terminal will change as we remodel the layout to a new ‘Shoreline’ check-in area which will stretch across the whole terminal.
“This will give passengers a more intuitive and easier journey through the airport and provide flexibility to allow us to accommodate new airlines as we grow as an airport.”