London Stansted’s transformation programme enters its latest phase as a number of new multi-million pound projects to enhance customer service and security at the airport get underway ahead of the main summer getaway.

The new developments help build short and medium term operational capacity at the airport to keep pace with increasing passenger demand.

The projects include changes to the layout and operation of the security search area, a significant increase in the number of seats available in the main departure lounge.

In addition, 2,500 new ‘Meet and Greet’ spaces are being created along with 1,000 more short stay car parking spaces available by the end of July.

To help increase passenger throughput at security screening and ensure the airport keeps pace with security compliance requirements, work has begun to introduce Central Image Processing.

This involves relocating the hand baggage x-ray review process to a dedicated central location away from the other security related activity in the main search area.

This £5 million investment will see the new technology applied to 13 of the airport’s 22 security lanes with three lane upgrades complete by mid-July in a phased introduction to limit any disruption to normal operations.

The security search area entrance will also be subject to a redesign due to be completed by late autumn.

Karen Smart, Stansted customer service and security director, said: “Stansted is already the busiest single terminal airport in the UK serving over 23 million passengers each year, and with passenger numbers forecast to grow rapidly in the years ahead, it’s vital we invest in new technology and services to ensure we keep pace with increasing demand while at the same time improving the customer experience at the airport.

“The investments we are making are a clear demonstration of our commitment to driving service standards upwards by utilising the best technology available to increase operational efficiency and delivering the type and scale of facilities passengers expect at a major international airport.”