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RAF Voyager aircraft will temporarily operate from London Stansted Airport from July while the Ministry of Defence carries out major resurfacing and improvement works at RAF Brize Norton.

The planned programme will require the Oxfordshire airbase to close for several months, with aircraft relocating to alternative sites across the UK until work is completed. The Voyager fleet will operate from Stansted, Prestwick and East Midlands airports before returning to RAF Brize Norton later this year.

Residents living around Stansted Airport, including in Stansted Mountfitchet, Elsenham, Takeley and surrounding villages, may notice an increase in military aircraft activity during the temporary deployment. The Ministry of Defence said the additional movements are planned, and there is no cause for public concern.

RAF Brize Norton is the United Kingdom’s primary military air mobility hub, supporting the movement of Armed Forces personnel, equipment and humanitarian supplies around the world. The improvement works form part of a wider programme to modernise the airfield and keep it operational for decades to come.

While the Voyager fleet will use Stansted alongside other airports, the RAF’s Atlas and Globemaster transport aircraft will primarily relocate to MoD Boscombe Down, with occasional use of Bournemouth Airport.

The Ministry of Defence said aircraft will begin moving to their temporary operating locations during July. It added that missions, including global logistics, humanitarian operations and support for allies, will continue throughout the works.

The RAF said operating from multiple locations has been developed through exercises, including Exercise Agile Warrior 2026, helping maintain air mobility capabilities while work is carried out at RAF Brize Norton.

The resurfacing programme is expected to be completed in late November, when aircraft will return to their permanent base.

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