BRAINTREE and Halstead MP James Cleverly paid a visit to an Essex airport to meet staff and tour its facilities.

The Foreign Secretary visited Stansted last week, where he was given a guided tour of Stansted Airport College, the only one of its kind in the UK.

The on-site further education college acts as a springboard for careers in aviation and tourism. 

It has about 500 students and offers courses ranging from aircraft engineering and maintenance to cabin crew and logistics. 

Mr Cleverly spoke to students from his constituency and was also given a briefing on the facility's expansion plans.

A meeting with the airport's chief operating officer was held at the airport's HQ, where the mid Essex MP was updated on the airport's successful summer as well as its planning application to expand the terminal building.

The proposed scheme, if approved, will see a three-bay extension to the back of the terminal building, designed to transform the airport experience.

It will provide a more spacious departure lounge for passengers, including new shops, bars and restaurants, state-of-the-art check-in equipment, increased baggage system capacity and an enlarged security hall with additional space for more security lanes fitted with next-generation scanners.

Mr Cleverly said: “We are lucky to have Stansted Airport so close to the Braintree constituency.

“It is a huge local employer and a key international gateway for export and tourism.

“It was great to meet with chief operating officer Jonathan Fowler and discuss expansion plans for the terminal building and the airport’s recovery post-Covid.

“This was also a fantastic chance to catch up with Braintree students attending the college and listen to their experiences and future aspirations, highlighting the opportunities and learning experience the college offers.”

Mr Fowler said: "We were delighted to have the Foreign Secretary visit London Stansted and showcase the wonderful college and meet students from his constituency.

“The visit was also an opportunity to highlight other aspects of our business, including our successful summer passenger operation and rapid recovery after Covid, as well as our plans to extend the terminal building, which will enhance the overall passenger experience at London Stansted.”