Why Is Stansted Airport Called London Stansted?

By Michael Ferguson

Have you ever wondered why Stansted Airport is called London Stansted? While it may seem a bit confusing, there’s actually a pretty straightforward explanation.

History of Stansted Airport

Firstly, let’s take a brief look at the history of the airport. Stansted Airport is located in Essex, approximately 42 miles northeast of central London. It was opened in 1943 as a US Air Force base during World War II and was later taken over by the British government in 1946.

In the 1960s, the airport was chosen to be developed as one of London’s new airports to accommodate the growing number of passengers traveling to and from the capital. The airport underwent significant expansion work over the years, including runway extensions and terminal upgrades.

The Name ‘London Stansted’

Now that we have some context on the airport’s history, let’s answer the question – why is it called London Stansted?

One reason is that when plans were being made to develop Stansted Airport in the 1960s, there was already an established airport in Essex called Southend Airport. To avoid confusion between these two airports, it was decided that Stansted would be marketed as an alternative airport for London.

Furthermore, since Stansted is located just outside of London (within easy reach by road and rail), it made sense to include ‘London’ in its name to emphasize its proximity to the city and attract more passengers.

Is It Misleading?

While some people argue that calling an airport outside of London ‘London’ something could be misleading or confusing for travelers, it’s worth noting that many airports around the world are named after nearby cities rather than their actual location. For example, Newark Liberty International Airport is located in New Jersey but serves New York City.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while it may seem a bit strange that an airport located outside of London is called London Stansted, there are valid reasons for this naming convention. Ultimately, it’s a marketing strategy to attract more passengers and emphasize the airport’s close proximity to the city.

So next time you’re flying in or out of Stansted Airport, you’ll know why it’s called London Stansted!