Stansted Airport has unveiled plans for new 'skylink' walkways that will directly connect the terminal with departure and arrival gates, replacing the airport's outdated people-mover transit system first introduced in 1991. The move is part of the Essex hub's £1.1 billion upgrade, which aims to nearly double annual passenger numbers to 51 million, positioning Stansted to become the UK's second busiest airport.
Skylinks to replace 1991 transit system
The new walkways will feature travelators and dedicated space for assistance buggies, creating a more seamless experience for travellers. The decommissioning of the track transit system will also free up space for the expansion of the terminal building, which will include new seating areas, shops, bars, and restaurants.
Construction on the skylinks is scheduled to begin later this summer, with minimal disruption to airport operations. Parts of the walkways will be pre-assembled in an empty aircraft hangar nearby and transported to the airport at night to avoid interfering with flights.
Contractor appointed for construction
Stansted has appointed contractor Farrans to carry out the construction. Rob Stewart, London Stansted's capital delivery programme director, described the skylinks as a 'vital component' for the transformation of the airport.
Glenn Gilmore, regional director at Farrans, said: 'Construction in aviation environments comes with many unique challenges including making sure that our clients' business operations can continue 24/7 with minimal disruption. We are specialists in managing these tricky interfaces with our extensive experience on site at numerous other UK airports.'
Impact on passenger experience
The new walkways are expected to improve the overall passenger experience by eliminating the need to rely on the aging transit system. The expansion project is part of a broader effort to modernize Stansted and accommodate growing demand, with the airport on track to become one of the UK's busiest hubs.
