General Atomics

Stansted ESD barrier free system set to go live

London Stansted Airport has confirmed its new barrierless system for vehicles using its Express Set Down (ESD) area is set to go live on 22nd January 2025.



Image courtesy MAG

The new system will use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and is designed to simplify the drop off and pick up process as drivers pass through the area more smoothly without the need to stop on exit, helping improve traffic flow and reducing congestion.

The ESD charge will need to be paid by midnight the day after making the drop-off, either online at pay.stanstedairport.com or by phone (0345 017 5046).

No payments will be able to be made when exiting the area and vehicles must not be left unattended at any time while in the drop off area.

Frequent users, including taxi drivers, can register for an account to automatically pay for any ESD visits, with full details available on the airport’s website – Express Set Down – Stansted Airport – while discounts for eligible local residents will be unaffected by the change.

Prominent signage is in place in the ESD area to remind drivers of the new system.

Anita Harrison, London Stansted’s Customer Operations Director, said: “Following our initial announcement last December of our intention to introduce a new barrierless access for vehicles using the ESD, I’m please to confirm the system will go live on 22nd January.

“The ANPR technology will make dropping-off and picking up passengers quicker and more convenient, reducing driver waiting times and helping improve passenger flows and that is why we are confident it will improve the overall experience for users."

Related

Brace for turbulence as the Met Office predicts the strongest El Niño in living memory
The turbulent North Atlantic, NASA
Brace for turbulence as the Met Office predicts the strongest El Niño in living memory
As the Met Office forecasts the strongest El Niño in living memory, here's what it could mean for flight operations.
Aerospace

21 Aug 2026

UK MoD interest could see Vertical’s hybrid defence aircraft in service before Valo
Vertical aerospace vx4 Transition Test Flight
UK MoD interest could see Vertical’s hybrid defence aircraft in service before Valo
Vertical Aerospace could reverse its development order and deliver a hybrid military aircraft before the electric Valo if defence demand intensifies.
Aerospace Defence

21 Aug 2026

Nick Lester appointed Head of Airworthiness for Morson Praxis DOA
Nick Lester
Nick Lester appointed Head of Airworthiness for Morson Praxis DOA
Having held senior engineering positions in the development of major aerospace programmes, Nick will be responsible for UK CAA regulatory compliance and maintaining high technical standards in support of organisations such as Leonardo Helicopters and Marshall Aerospace.
UK MoD interest could see Vertical’s hybrid defence aircraft in service before Valo
Vertical aerospace vx4 Transition Test Flight
UK MoD interest could see Vertical’s hybrid defence aircraft in service before Valo
Vertical Aerospace could reverse its development order and deliver a hybrid military aircraft before the electric Valo if defence demand intensifies.
Aerospace Defence

21 Aug 2026

UK defence jobs jump by 26,000 as MoD spending supports 274,000 workers
UK defence jobs jump by 26,000 as MoD spending supports 274,000 workers
Ministry of Defence spending with UK industry now supports one in every 100 jobs, according to new figures.
Defence Security

21 Aug 2026

Tiberius Aerospace’s Invictus enters testing and evaluation
Invictus
Tiberius Aerospace’s Invictus enters testing and evaluation
The Invictus ramjet has now moved into formal engineering testing and evaluation, as Tiberius Aerospace develops this multi-mission tube-launched system for integration across multiple platforms and domains.
Defence Member News

20 Aug 2026

Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone gains £300m investment as Dell establishes Scottish base
Lanarkshire’s AI Innovation Park
Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone gains £300m investment as Dell establishes Scottish base
A £202 million guarantee from the UK National Wealth Fund has attracted an investment of £300 million in Lanarkshire's AI Growth Zone, which with Dell Technologies establishing a base there too, is set to support over 3,400 skilled jobs.
UK satellite funding targets connectivity ‘not-spots’ for farmers and remote railways
Young farmer works with a digital tablet in a wheat field, smart farm and quality control
UK satellite funding targets connectivity ‘not-spots’ for farmers and remote railways
British farmers and passengers travelling through remote parts of Scotland could gain better connectivity through a new £13 million package backing 16 UK satellite communications projects.
Space

18 Aug 2026

SatVu’s space-based thermal intelligence reveals status of Texan LNG terminal
Golden Pass LNG terminal in Texas
SatVu’s space-based thermal intelligence reveals status of Texan LNG terminal
By using HotSat-2's MWIR sensor, SatVu has captured thermal data over the Golden Pass LNG terminal in Texas, with AllSource Analysis attributing thermal activity to the individual units and equipment within.
Member News Space

14 Aug 2026

UK defence jobs jump by 26,000 as MoD spending supports 274,000 workers
UK defence jobs jump by 26,000 as MoD spending supports 274,000 workers
Ministry of Defence spending with UK industry now supports one in every 100 jobs, according to new figures.
Defence Security

21 Aug 2026

Darktrace among first cybersecurity firms selected to integrate risk signals into Microsoft Agent 365
Using laptop and mobile phone
Darktrace among first cybersecurity firms selected to integrate risk signals into Microsoft Agent 365
The integration will bring Darktrace's behavioural risk signals into Microsoft Agent 365, enabling customers to view organisation-specific insights alongside Microsoft signals in a single interface.
Security

20 Aug 2026

Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone gains £300m investment as Dell establishes Scottish base
Lanarkshire’s AI Innovation Park
Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone gains £300m investment as Dell establishes Scottish base
A £202 million guarantee from the UK National Wealth Fund has attracted an investment of £300 million in Lanarkshire's AI Growth Zone, which with Dell Technologies establishing a base there too, is set to support over 3,400 skilled jobs.