North Essex: Government gives Stansted go-ahead

5:40pm Friday 10th October 2008

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The Government has granted permission for Stansted Airport to handle an extra ten million passengers a year.

Transport secretary Geoff Hoon backed plans from the airport’s owner, BAA, to increase the number of outbound flights taking off annually from its runway from 241,000 to 264,000.

Green campaigners condemned the move, saying the consequent increase in CO2 emissions would have devastating effects on the environment.

The scheme is separate from the proposals to build a second runway at Stansted, which would open the door for a further expansion in flights.

With ticket sales falling and the global economy in meltdown, it remains to be seen if and when airlines operating from the airport will take the opportunity to carry more travellers.

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