Drone footage has been released showing how Stansted is finding parking spaces for almost 100 aircraft grounded following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Almost all of the airport’s passenger stands can be seen occupied by aircraft which would usually be carrying passengers to around 200 destinations.
The film from an Essex Police drone also shows aircraft parked on the north side of the airfield, which usually houses Stansted’s private and charter aviation operation.
A handful of passenger flights a day are still running while the airport’s cargo operations are continuing to bring supplies into the UK.
Airport operations director Nick Millar said: “This is a challenging time for the whole country and the aviation sector is no different.
“We have been working hard with our airlines to find space for them to park their planes which would otherwise be flying around the world, given the majority of them have taken the decision to suspend most of their operations for the time being.
“Usually at this time of year we’d see more than 500 flights a day, but this unprecedented situation means we are faced with a different challenge of ensuring there is space for these aircraft on the ground and that airlines can continue to maintain them.
“This is alongside the cargo operation which continues to bring in essential items like food and pharmaceuticals from around the globe.”