Businesses in Essex are being invited to have their say on Stansted Airport’s plans to increase its annual passenger cap to 44.5m.

Numbers at Stansted have just passed the 25m mark for the first time, with the airport currently subject to a maximum of 35m passengers a year.

In June, however, the airport gave formal notice of its intention to apply for the cap to be raised to 44.5m passengers year, representing the maximum possible use of its existing single runway.

And, next week, Essex Chambers of Commerce is staging an event in conjunction with Stansted Airport and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) at which businesses will be able to learn more about the proposal and offer their thoughts.

Speakers will include Paul Willis, Stansted’s transformation project director, who will outline its aspiration to grow the number of airlines using the airport and to develop new routes, and Christian Brodie, chairman of SELEP, who will set out the region’s Strategic Economic Plan and the importance of the airport development.

The event is being held on Wednesday, September 13, at the Park Inn by Radisson Harlow hotel in Southern Way, Harlow, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.

Place cost £18 for Essex Chambers members or £35 for non-members (both including VAT). For more details and to book, visit www.essexchambers.co.uk/events/harlow_horizons_-_stansted_consultation_with_selep.htm.

News of Stansted’s plans to seek an increase in its passenger cap were broadly welcomed by the business community but are being opposed by the Stop Stansted Expansion campaign, which has warned of the impact of an increase in flights on the environment.