Airport operator BAA has submitted planning applications for the construction of a second runway at Stansted Airport.

If approved, the runway would open in 2015 and would help the airport to handle about 68 million passengers a year from 2030.

The runway could help to inject £9 billion into the British economy, BAA said. The company also outlined plans for making the revamped airport as environmentally-friendly as possible, including setting targets for energy-related carbon emissions, water consumption and waste recycling.

"This important project will bring huge benefits to the east of England and UK economy, and will increase choice and opportunity for millions of business and leisure travellers," commented Sir Nigel Rudd, chairman of BAA.

Stansted currently serves 23.6 million passengers a year and handles flights to 158 destinations by more than 32 airlines.

It is the third busiest airport in the UK.

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