The ceremony has taken place in the same week that the airport celebrated its 20th anniversary.

The trains are being built at Litchurch Lane in Derby and are being delivered on schedule, so that the airport service can be provided solely by the new 379s from May.

The existing Stansted Express Class 317s will be used to strengthen other NXEA services.

Welcoming the launch of the new Stansted Express train, Nick Barton, managing director, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to see the first new train for the Stansted Express unveiled by the Secretary of State for Transport today and we now look forward to May when we begin to welcome the new trains on the Stansted Airport service.

“Stansted is already the UK’s No1 major airport for passengers using public transport so the long-awaited introduction of the new trains is really great news. They are vital in helping us to promote the airport and deliver improvements to the passenger journey.

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