Thomas Cook Airlines is doubling aircraft capacity from Stansted next summer and introducing eight new destinations.
Corfu, Fuerteventura, Heraklion, Izmir, Kefalonia, Kos, Rhodes and Skiathos are being added as well as increased frequencies to existing destinations.
The carrier will operate two Airbus A321s from the Essex airport instead of the smaller single A320 this year.
The expansion means that the carrier will serve 18 destinations from Stansted from next June, with more than 150,000 passengers each year flying with the airline from the airport.
The move follows Manchester Airport Group taking over Stansted.
Airport managing director Andrew Harrison added “Today’s announcement by Thomas Cook is excellent news for Stansted and our passengers and another significant step on the road to providing more choice to more destinations from the airport than ever before.
“Under new ownership, we have very ambitious plans for Stansted, including an £80 million revamp of the award-winning terminal to transform the passenger experience and services, and to compete for and attract new routes, airlines and passengers in the London market.
“This new agreement with Thomas Cook demonstrates their confidence in MAG to deliver great value and quality service at Stansted.
“There is huge demand for air travel in our catchment area, and we know people prefer to fly from their local airport when possible, so this fantastic news is a real positive development in providing more choice and more flights to even more destinations for passengers in London and the eastern region.”
Thomas Cook Airlines’ planning director Rob Thompson said: “We believe that this area of the country is currently underserved with respect of airport departures to holiday destinations and that demand exists to make our partnership with the airport a continued success.”
Kate Needham, eastern area business manager for Thomas Cook stores said: “We always see demand for local departures from London Stansted – it’s the first thing people ask for.
“These new flights will mean that we are now able to offer even more holidays and increased options for different durations to our top destinations – great news for holidaymakers in our region.”