London Stansted Airport has unveiled an exciting roster of brand-new flight routes set to launch throughout 2026, marking a significant step in its growth ambitions. This expansion comes as the airport pursues a massive £1.1 billion development plan, aiming to increase its annual passenger capacity from 30 million to 51 million.
Major Airlines and New Destinations
The headline announcement is the debut of Turkish Airlines at Stansted, scheduled for March 18, 2026. As one of the world's largest carriers, it will operate flights to Istanbul up to 15 times weekly, providing seamless connections to over 350 global destinations.
Before that, easyJet will enhance connectivity to Paris Charles de Gaulle starting March 5, with services every Monday and Friday. Fares for this route will begin from just £35.99 one-way.
European Sun and City Breaks
The later part of the year will see a diverse range of new leisure and city routes take off. Ryanair is launching a twice-weekly service to Malmö in Sweden from April 1, with one-way fares from £31.
For sun-seekers, Jet2 will commence operations to the Greek island of Samos and the Spanish city of Jerez in May, with return fares to Samos from around £172. Additionally, BA CityFlyer will offer weekend flights to the Sardinian hotspot of Olbia from May 23, with returns from £152.
Full 2026 Launch Schedule from London Stansted
- March 5: Paris Charles de Gaulle, France (easyJet)
- March 18: Istanbul, Turkey (Turkish Airlines)
- March 29: Glasgow, UK (Ryanair)
- April 1: Malmö, Sweden (Ryanair)
- May 1: Jerez, Spain (Jet2)
- May 7: Samos, Greece (Jet2)
- May 7: Kos, Greece (TUI)
- May 23: Olbia, Italy (BA CityFlyer)
- June 26: Bodrum, Turkey (AJet)
- October 26: La Palma, Spain (Jet2)
Ciaran Brannigan, Commercial Director at London Stansted, commented on the developments: "We're delighted to welcome new airlines and routes during 2026 that give our passengers even greater choice, value and convenience. London Stansted continues to grow as a key gateway for travel across Europe and beyond, and these additions underline our commitment to offering more destinations and better connectivity for leisure and business travellers alike."
This strategic route expansion supports Stansted's long-term goal of potentially overtaking Gatwick to become the UK's second busiest airport within the next two decades. For travellers, it translates to more affordable options and convenient access to an increasingly wide network of European cities and holiday destinations directly from the London area.
