Stansted Airport today unveiled its next phase of investment – an £8million upgrade of its Satellite One departures area.

The planned improvements form part of a wider £260m programme of expenditure, including a comprehensive refit of the airport’s main terminal building, which reflects ambitions to attract more passengers and additional airlines, including long-haul services.

Besides new seating, refurbished toilets, free charging points for electronic devices and improved wi-fi, the plans for the satellite also include space for lounge facilities to be developed in partnership with airlines keen to “differentiate” their offer.

Details of the plans for the satellite were announced by Stansted’s managing director, Andrew Harrison, at the Future Travel Experience industry conference in London.

Also unveiled were designs for the airport’s new Escape Lounge which will be the first lounge in the main departures area in the airport’s 24-year history.

Mr Harrison outlined the vision of Manchester Airport’s Group, which acquired Stansted two years ago from the former BAA group, to transform the passenger experience at Stansted by upgrading and rejuvenating the areas most valued by passengers, while also providing airlines with a more tailored offer.

He said: “These are really exciting times and will be a significant turning point in the airport’s history. Having successfully returned Stansted to growth, making it once again London’s fastest growing airport, we’re driving forward our ambition to attract a greater mix of airlines, including long-haul connections to serve our region and the London–Stansted–Cambridge economic growth corridor.

“The value of these investments isn’t just about how much is being spent; it’s the focus being placed on delivering designs and facilities that work for both our passengers and airline partners because the money we spend has to represent value for both.

“I’m really excited and looking forward to this time next year when this phase of re-development will be completed and our passengers can fully experience how Stansted is changing because this is just the beginning.”

An £80m transformation of the main terminal at Stansted has already seen the introduction of a new security area and the completion of the first phase of a new depatures area.

A number of new cafés, bars and restaurants will be open by this Spring and the successful tenders for the remaining 18 retail outlets will be announced in the coming months.