London Stansted Airport has unveiled a significant expansion plan for 2026, set to enhance its status as a major travel hub. The Essex airport will welcome a prestigious new airline and launch seven fresh flight routes, offering passengers greater choice and connectivity across Europe and beyond.
Major New Airline and Key Route Launch
The headline development is the arrival of Turkish Airlines, one of the world's largest carriers, which will begin operations from Stansted on March 18, 2026. The airline will operate a substantial service of up to 15 weekly flights to Istanbul Airport (IST).
This connection is particularly valuable as Istanbul Airport, repeatedly voted the World's Best Airport, serves as a global hub. From there, travellers can access seamless onward connections to an impressive 353 destinations across Asia, Africa, and Australia. The flight time from Stansted to Istanbul is roughly four hours.
Full Schedule of New Destinations
The expansion begins in early spring, with a mix of new routes and increased frequencies from established airlines based at Stansted.
March 2026 kicks off the changes, with easyJet launching the first new service to Paris Charles de Gaulle on March 5. Later in the month, Ryanair will boost its schedule, increasing flights between Stansted and Glasgow from March 29.
April 2026 sees Ryanair commence a twice-weekly service to Malmo in Sweden starting April 1.
May 2026 is a busy period for holiday route launches:
- Jet2.com starts flights to Jerez in Spain (May 1) and Samos in Greece (May 7).
- TUI begins services to the Greek island of Kos on May 7.
- BA CityFlyer inaugurates a route to Olbia in Sardinia on May 23.
In June 2026, AJet will introduce flights to Bodrum in Turkey from June 26. The year's new route announcements conclude in October 2026, when Jet2.com begins its final new service from Stansted to La Palma in the Canary Islands on October 26.
A "Key Gateway" for Future Travel
Airport officials have framed this expansion as a strategic move to solidify Stansted's role in the UK's transport landscape. Ciaran Brannigan, Commercial Director at London Stansted, stated the new services underline their commitment to growth.
"We're delighted to welcome new airlines and routes during 2026 that give our passengers even greater choice, value and convenience," Brannigan said. "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 comprehensive expansion, featuring both a flagship carrier and a diverse set of new leisure and city destinations, positions Stansted Airport for a transformative and bustling year ahead.
