These days, Stansted airport is an incredibly busy airport, Britains third busiest in fact and sports a huge array of additions since its opening back in 1943.

During the Second World War, airports or to be more precise, runways were at a premium. Britain needed every last bit of long tarmac it could get, not only to launch offensives in Europe but to help train the many new recruits flooding in to help the war effort. It also needed maintenance depots and that’s where RAF Stansted Mountifchet (as it was known originally) became an important and strategical part of Britain’s air defence.

After opening, the airfield became a base for both British and American aircraft, housing the USAAF Eight air Force as a heavy bomber airfield, but it doubled up as a maintenance and supply depot, helping rebuild broken and damaged planes that had returned from action. Once victory was secure in Europe howeber, Stansted (as it was always known) saw these operations moved to France, but it carried on as a supply stage.

Stansted looked a lot different back then, obviously without a terminal building, airport parking facilities or the impressive Stansted airport hotels on the modern era and it would be some time before it came close to resembling what it has become today. Just after the war, it was used to house German prisoners of war and even though the Americans left in 1945, they were back again in 1954.

By 1966, the first charter planes were flying passengers to holiday destinations from the airport thanks to the new owners BAA but it was clear the government saw greater potential than simply avoiding the growing delays at Gatwick and Heathrow. By 1969, the first terminal building was completed and underwent further expansion just a year later.

The expansions would continue through the 80′s and 90′s leading to more than 15 million passengers going through the airport a year. By 1988 it needed a new terminal building, which was finished in 1991 and still stands today along with other buildings that have sprung up around the area including the Stansted Hotels, car parks, restaurants and the close by train service.

As well as being a busy airport, Stansted has also featured the rich and famous with films, tv shows and adverts all being filmed at the airport including Flight 93 and Last Chance Harvey.

These days, Stansted airport is an incredibly busy airport, Britains third busiest in fact and sports a huge array of additions since its opening back in 1943.

During the Second World War, airports or to be more precise, runways were at a premium. Britain needed every last bit of long tarmac it could get, not only to launch offensives in Europe but to help train the many new recruits flooding in to help the war effort. It also needed maintenance depots and that’s where RAF Stansted Mountifchet (as it was known originally) became an important and strategical part of Britain’s air defence.

After opening, the airfield became a base for both British and American aircraft, housing the USAAF Eight air Force as a heavy bomber airfield, but it doubled up as a maintenance and supply depot, helping rebuild broken and damaged planes that had returned from action. Once victory was secure in Europe howeber, Stansted (as it was always known) saw these operations moved to France, but it carried on as a supply stage.

Stansted looked a lot different back then, obviously without a terminal building, airport parking facilities or the impressive Stansted airport hotels on the modern era and it would be some time before it came close to resembling what it has become today. Just after the war, it was used to house German prisoners of war and even though the Americans left in 1945, they were back again in 1954.

By 1966, the first charter planes were flying passengers to holiday destinations from the airport thanks to the new owners BAA but it was clear the government saw greater potential than simply avoiding the growing delays at Gatwick and Heathrow. By 1969, the first terminal building was completed and underwent further expansion just a year later.

The expansions would continue through the 80′s and 90′s leading to more than 15 million passengers going through the airport a year. By 1988 it needed a new terminal building, which was finished in 1991 and still stands today along with other buildings that have sprung up around the area including the Stansted Hotels, car parks, restaurants and the close by train service.

As well as being a busy airport, Stansted has also featured the rich and famous with films, tv shows and adverts all being filmed at the airport including Flight 93 and Last Chance Harvey.

Yotel Hotel Gatwick Airport

If you have driven to any busy UK airport in recent years you will understand how important it is to pre-book your airport parking space. If you haven’t pre booked you end up paying top price for your parking space, if there is any still available.

Luckily it’s not difficult to go online and pre-book the parking space you will need. You will find that online prices are a fraction of what your parking would cost otherwise. But you could be saving even more money while enjoying a little hotel luxury before taking your flight.

If you have an early morning flight then booking yourself into a local airport hotel can be very convenient for your early morning start. An airport hotel room can be a great way to start your short break that little bit sooner. Many of the top name airport hotels provide some exceptional services. They usually provide a top quality restaurant, bars, room service and even swimming pools.

Spending a relaxed night in an hotel the night before your flight means that you will not need to rush to the airport in the morning to catch your flight.

If this isn’t enough to make you want to try a hotel room before you fly then what about some free airport parking included in the price? Many popular airport hotels are now offering some incredibly attractive deals that include a convenient airport parking space for the period of your holiday.

Airport hotels with parking provide a convenient way to save money and headaches. Even though you may have only taken a hotel room for one night the parking space provided is yours for typically 8 or 15 days.

Hotels that now provide airport parking are an example of how competition is encouraging them to provide more services that travellers want.