Manchester Airports Group (MAG), the operator for London Stansted Airport, has announced the next phase of its £260m (US$400m) airport transformation project.
The latest phase will involve upgrading and rejuvenating the Satellite One departure gate area including the construction of a new passenger lounge. The £8m (US$12m) upgrade will not only make the area sleek, modern and contemporary in style but will provide enhanced passenger facilities in the form of comfortable lifestyle seating, fully refurbished toilets as well as free charging points and improved wi-fi access. Space is also being allocated for bespoke lounge facilities. The new Escape Lounge will be the first passenger lounge to be built in the main departures area of the airport.
Andrew Harrison, managing director of Stansted Airport, said, “These are really exciting times and will be a significant turning point in the airport’s history. Having successfully returned Stansted to growth, making it once again London’s fastest growing airport, we’re driving forward our ambition to attract a greater mix of airlines, including long-haul connections to serve our region and the London – Stansted – Cambridge economic growth corridor.
“The value of these investments isn’t just about how much is being spent,
it’s the focus being placed on delivering designs and facilities that work for both our passengers and airline partners because the money we spend has to represent value for both. I’m really excited and looking forward to this time next year when this phase of re-development will be completed and our passengers can fully experience how Stansted is changing because this is
just the beginning.”
In the past year, MAG has overseen an £80m (US$120m) project to transform the terminal building including a new security area, departure lounge and the addition of the biggest walkthrough World Duty Free Store in the World Duty Free Group. Several new cafes, bars and restaurants will open by spring 2015 and tenders for the remaining 18 retail outlets will be announced in the coming months.