Stansted appoints Farrans to build terminal transformation Skylink walkways
London Stansted Airport has appointed construction company Farrans as delivery partner for a new set of Skylink walkways connecting its main terminal with existing satellite buildings.
image: London Stansted Airport
The walkways will provide direct pedestrian connections between the terminal and the satellite buildings, which currently accommodate departure and arrival gates. The project forms part of a wider transformation programme at the Essex airport aimed at increasing capacity and improving passenger facilities.
The Skylinks will also enable Stansted to decommission its existing track transit people mover. Removing the system and associated infrastructure will create space for a future extension of the terminal towards the airfield.
The longer-term programme includes a three-bay extension to the existing terminal, adding 16,500 square metres of floor space. Stansted says the extension will provide additional shops, bars and restaurants and create a larger passenger environment.
The airport expects the completed development to make Stansted the largest single-terminal airport in Europe.
Construction of the Skylinks is due to begin later this summer. Sections of the walkways will be pre-assembled in a vacant airport hangar on the northern side of the airfield before being transported to their final positions.
Once assembled, each section will be moved overnight using self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs). The approach is intended to minimise disruption to airport operations while the structures are installed.
Rob Stewart, MAG's Capital Delivery Programme Director, said Farrans had already worked with the airport through the design, planning and enabling stages of the project.
“We’re delighted to continue our strong and successful partnership with Farrans at London Stansted having successfully worked with the team through the design, planning and enabling phases of the skylinks project, a vital component in our overall transformation programme,” he said.
“We now move to the construction phase of the work, where Farrans’ expertise and experience of delivering airport projects in busy operational environments will be invaluable.”
Stewart said the airport's passenger growth was creating momentum behind the wider programme.
“The airport continues to welcome record numbers of passengers so together with our delivery partners we are really building momentum on our transformation programme that will deliver new passenger facilities, support growth and unlock capacity on our existing single runway,” he said.
The Skylinks are part of a wider investment programme being delivered by Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which also owns Manchester and East Midlands airports.
Stansted has been handling increasing passenger volumes in recent years. The airport recorded 29.8m passengers in the 12 months to March 2026, according to Civil Aviation Authority data, placing it among the UK's busiest airports. Its growth strategy is focused on making better use of its existing infrastructure and single runway rather than developing an additional runway.