Stansted Airport to undergo security improvements in £5 million project

Stansted Airport is set improve its security as part of a £5 million project to overhaul the main terminal building.

The project will focus on seating and security in an attempt to increase short-term capacity within the airport, with the work set to begin ahead of the busy summer period.

Due to security rules, work has begun to introduce central image processing which will mean the hand baggage x-ray team is moved to a central location, away from other security-related activity in the main search area.

Now a team of experts will assess baggage with new high-tech equipment, rather than have one person at the end of each lane watching x-ray images.

It is expected that the upgrade will be completed by the middle of July, before schools break up for summer holidays, whilst work to increase the general size of the security area within the airport will not be finished until late autumn.

In an attempt to speed up the time it takes passengers to pass through security, each lane is also expected to be lengthened.

Other improvements to the airport include creating 2,500 meet and greet spaces, as well as 1,000 more short-stay car parking spaces, which should be available by the end of July.

Stansted is already the busiest single terminal airport in the UK, serving more than 23 million passengers annually, with that number expected to grow rapidly in the next couple of years.

Due to the growth, it is vital the airport invests in new technology and services in an attempt to meet increased demand whilst also improving customer experience.

The investment is a clear demonstration of the commitment Stansted has to driving service standards up, by utilising the best technology and increasing operational efficiency, according to Karen Smart, Stansted’s customer service and security director.

If you’re thinking of travelling abroad this year, be sure to organise your long-haul travel insurance in advance.

Date Created: 09/06/2016