Stansted has been named Best London Airport at the 14th annual London Transport Awards.

The judging panel recognised the investment programme undertaken by Stansted’s owner, MAG, to inspire renewed growth at Stansted with particular focus on improvements to the security hall and departure lounge plus airline deals to enable significant passenger and cargo growth at the airport.

Andrew Harrison, manaing director at Stansted Airport, said: “I’m delighted Stansted has been named Best London Airport at the prestigious London Transport Awards, and very proud the work we have undertaken to rejuvenate and enhance the customer experience and facilities has been recognised by the judging panel and the wider transport world.

“In the last three years we have added over five million more passengers to become one of the UK’s fastest growing airports and invested over £100 million to improve our infrastructure to give passengers and airlines more choice, great value and even better service.

“We have made great progress on the journey to be the best airport, and this award is a vote of confidence in the changes we have already made. We remain committed to building on this success story and continuing to grow our already extensive route network and investing further in our facilities to provide passengers up and down the booming London-Cambridge economic corridor with the best choice and service when choosing to fly.”

Mike Brown, transport commissioner at Transport for London who gave the keynote speech at the awards,said: “I am delighted to support these awards, which showcase the work of transport authorities, operators, suppliers and contractors, and all their people in ensuring that London remains a world leading city.

“The capital’s population is at record levels - 8.6 million today, which will become 10 million by 2030: the definition of a mega city.

“In just four years, the number of passengers we serve has increased by nearly half a billion a year. Our population is growing at the rate of two full Tube trains a week or two full buses a day.

“In response, significant investment is being made to modernise the transport network. The Victoria line is now one of the most frequent metro services in the world, we have new air-conditioned trains on four lines, Crossrail 1 is on time and on budget. In addition, we are spending £4bn on improving our roads.”

The London Transport Awards, held in association with Transport Times magazine, were judged by a panel chaired by Professor David Begg, chief executive of Transport Times, and also includinig Janet Cooke, chief executive of London Travel Watch, Nick Lester-Davis, corporate director of services for London Councils, and Valerie Shawcross, chair of the London Assembly’s transport committee.

The gala ceremony was hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern and attended by 500 transport professionals at the Lancaster London Hotel.