London Luton expansion approved

London’s Luton Airport could double its annual passenger numbers to a potential 32 million by 2043 following the UK government’s green light for its expansion plans.

The capital’s fourth-largest airport has been granted permission by transport secretary Heidi Alexander to expand its perimeter and add a new terminal and taxiways, with the development's economic impact seemingly outweighing environmental concerns. The decision to approve or decline the airport's plans had previously been postponed three times.

Airport authorities said the development would generate an additional £1.5 billion for the economy annually, create 11,000 new jobs, and increase the choice of airlines and destinations for passengers. EasyJet and Ryanair currently operate the most services from the airport.

James Beagrie, MD of Meon, commented: “Luton has traditionally served the leisure market well. Now, any expansion to enrich UK PLC and stimulate international trade by creating a hub between east and west for business travel has got to be welcome news for many. For too long we’ve fallen behind our European colleagues and competitors. Luton now serves large business hubs such as Milton Keynes, northwest London, Oxford and beyond, all of which will benefit hugely from increased access to improved connectivity at competitive prices.”