The UK’s London Luton Airport will increase its passenger capacity to 18 million passengers a year by 2020, a 57% increase. The expansion plan was revealed in a project called futureLuToN:Optimisation, which was presented to the airport’s consultative committee, representing local residents, councils and community groups.
London Luton Airport Ltd (LLAL) chairman Robin Harris said that the company is at the beginning of a journey that builds on the tremendous success that it has seen through the last decade and will ultimately bring huge benefits to Luton and the wider region.
"We will consult actively and listen carefully ahead of submitting a planning application to enhance this important people’s asset, but we must be ready to embrace market demand in the future," Harris said. "The need for additional airport capacity in south-east England and the enormous growth that low-cost carriers have demonstrated in recent years gives us every confidence that London Luton Airport will continue to become ever-more attractive to both existing and new airlines."
The project seeks to enhance the airport’s facilities to accommodate additional passengers. The work includes improving taxiways, aprons, piers and parking stands for aircraft, as well as extending the road network, airport car parking and passenger terminal.
The four weeks of consultation will continue until 5 March.
LLAL is considering submitting a planning application in April 2012, when a further statutory consultation will be carried out by Luton Borough Council as planning authority.
London Luton Airport is the UK’s fifth-largest airport.
Image: Under the expansion plan, Luton airport will undergo improvements to taxiways, aprons, piers, parking stands for aircraft, the road network, airport car parking and the passenger terminal.
