London Stansted prepares for a busy year ahead as a wave of new airlines and routes launches, giving travelers more choice across Europe and beyond.
Turkish Airlines makes its debut at the airport on 18 March with up to 15 weekly flights to Istanbul, unlocking onward connections to 353 destinations across Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Several other carriers also add fresh routes throughout the spring and summer. Ryanair introduces twice-weekly flights to Malmo from 1 April and adds more services to Glasgow from 29 March, while easyJet starts flying to Paris Charles de Gaulle from 5 March and AJet launches services to Bodrum from 26 June.
Jet2.com expands its summer programme with new services to Jerez from 1 May, Samos from 7 May and La Palma from 26 October, giving holidaymakers more Mediterranean and Canary Islands choices. TUI also introduces flights to Kos from 7 May, while BA CityFlyer adds a new link to Olbia in Sardinia starting 23 May.
With airlines covering everything from short European city breaks to longer-haul connections via Istanbul, the expanded schedule offers more flexibility for both leisure and business travelers planning trips in 2026.
Growing connectivity at London Stansted
The expansion strengthens Stansted’s role as a major gateway for international travel, with more frequency on key routes and a broader mix of destinations. Increased connectivity also supports onward travel options for passengers seeking one-stop links beyond Europe.
“We’re delighted to welcome new airlines and routes during 2026 that give our passengers even greater choice, value and convenience. London Stansted continues to grow as a key gateway for travel across Europe and beyond, and these additions underline our commitment to offering more destinations and better connectivity for leisure and business travellers alike,” said Ciaran Brannigan, Commercial Director at London Stansted.
