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Getting around Stansted Airport is about to get much easier.
The airport has revealed plans to build new ‘skylinks’ – walkways that will directly link the terminal with the departure and arrival gates. This means that travellers will no longer have to get around using the airport’s clunky and outdated transit system, as the train-like people-mover that was first introduced way back in 1991 will be decommissioned. The new walkways should create a more seamless experience in the airport, with travelators and space for assistance buggies.
The decommissioning of the track transit system will open up new space for the expansion of the terminal building. The Essex hub has previously revealed ambitious plans for its £1.1 billion upgrade, which will see its yearly passenger numbers almost double to 51 million. The huge expansion of the terminal will boast new seating areas, shops, bars and restaurants in the hub that is on track to become the UK’s second busiest airport.
Work on the skylinks will begin later this summer, but it won’t disrupt your flying experience. Parts of the walkways will be pre-assembled in an empty aircraft hangar nearby. Once completed they will be transported to the airport at night for minimal disruption. Stansted has appointed contractor Farrans to carry out the construction.
Rob Stewart, London Stansted’s capital delivery programme director, called the skylinks 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.’
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