Construction work will begin this week on a £40 million project to extend Stansted Airport’s main terminal building.

The development will add an extra 5,900m² of floor space to the international arrivals area of the terminal.

Key features include doubling the size of the Immigration Hall, providing extra space for additional baggage carousels and the creation of a new and improved area for ‘meeters and greeters’ at international arrivals, with enhanced retail and onward transport facilities.

Nick Barton, Business Development and Planning Director, BAA Stansted said:

“Stansted Airport has very successfully grown its airline route network over recent years, and now serves nearly 24 million passengers a year, so this is clearly the right time to bring forward this exciting new project. We are committed to providing the best possible airport experience at Stansted, and this significant investment will create additional space and facilities that will benefit both passengers and business partners alike.

“The development has been carefully planned with all the various companies and organisations involved to ensure that while the works are taking place any disruption to staff, passengers and the airport’s safe operation is kept to a absolute minimum.”

The project is due to be fully completed by December 2008.