Half-term getaway boosts record-breaking February at London Stansted
The half-term school holidays helped London Stansted report its busiest ever February as families and holidaymakers took to the skies in record numbers.
More than 2.01 million passengers passed through the terminal during February, an increase of 4.8 percent on last year, and 91,000 passengers more than the previous monthly record set in 2024.
The number of passengers using London Stansted in the 12-months to the end of February stands at 29.77 million, an increase of 5.2 percent on the previous year.
Nearly 830,000 passengers travelled through Stansted during the half-term week alone, as families from across London and the East of England headed away for some winter sun, hit the ski slopes or visited friends and family.
Demand during the period also remained high from overseas visitors looking for affordable and convenient access to the UK, and London in particular, thanks to the airport’s extensive European route network.
The most popular destinations for winter sun-seekers included the Canary Islands, Southern Spain, Turkey, and Dubai, while the top choices for those heading to the slopes were Geneva, Chambery, Grenoble, Turin, Innsbruck, and Zurich.
Short city breaks were also in high demand with Dublin, Edinburgh and Istanbul the most popular.
Operational performance during the month remained strong, with more than 98% of passengers passing safely through security in 15 minutes or less.
Ciaran Brannigan, London Stansted’s Commercial Director, said:
"February was yet another strong month at London Stansted, with a very busy half-term holiday week boosting demand that saw the airport welcome over two million passengers during the month of February for the first time in our history.
“The great value, choice and ease of access on offer at the airport continues to attract passengers in record numbers, and we don’t expect to see any let up in demand as we push ever closer to breaking through the 30 million passengers a year milestone at London Stansted.
“The summer flying schedule will begin at the end of the month, bringing even more choice of destinations for local people to plan their trips abroad, particularly for those looking to head off over the Easter holidays next month.
“And our extensive and growing route network will also provide more opportunities for us to welcome thousands more visitors from across Europe and beyond who are attracted to the great choice of inbound flights and simplicity of using London Stansted as they heading into London or sampling the delights of the East of England in the coming weeks and months.”
