Stansted handled more than 1.9 million passengers in March as the airport’s strong operational performance continued into the Easter holidays.
The monthly total represents 94% of the passengers that used Stansted in the same month in pre-pandemic 2019 and up 32% on March last year when international travel restrictions were lifted.
Stansted’s European route network was boosted at the end of the month with the start of the summer schedule.
This saw Ryanair launch a three flights a week to Newquay, and Wideroe start a twice-weekly service to Bergen, while Jet2 started flights to Athens and Rome.
The total number of passengers using the airport in the 12-months to March now stands at 25.5 million, an increase of 148% on the previous year’s total.
Operational performance in March remained strong, with 99% of passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less, according to Stansted.
Managing director Gareth Powell said: “I’m really pleased that we continue to combine the unrivalled choice of European destinations we offer passengers with a reliable, smooth and efficient experience.
“It has been great to see that strong performance continue into April, as we welcomed even more passengers over the Easter holidays, our busiest period of the year so far.
“Our preparations to meet rising passenger demand across May due to the multiple bank holidays, including the King Charles III coronation weekend, and the peak summer season continue to go well.
“We are recruiting even more colleagues to join our teams, and have kicked-off a number of upgrades to enhance the passenger experience, including new seating in the arrivals area, a refurbishment of retail and food and beverage outlets plus more charging points and water fountains in the departure lounge.”