London Luton outlines plans for growth

London Luton Airport Operations, the operator of London Luton Airport has announced its Master Plan for the future of the airport. The airport is the fifth largest airport in the UK and was the fastest growing London airport in 2011. As the operator since 1998, LLAO has carried out a detailed study of Luton airport and its opportunities for growth, which it has now used as the solid basis for creating a credible and sustainable plan. It is hoped the plan will help ease the constraints on point-to-point short haul aviation capacity in London and meet the department for transport’s forecast of 15-16 million passengers per year by 2028. The plans include: The phased development of London Luton over the next 15 years to facilitate growth in passenger numbers and airline demand that will avoid overbuilding capacity, and passing on unnecessary costs to airlines and passengers. Growing the number of passengers from nearly ten million to 15-16 million per year over the next ten years. Turning Luton into ‘London’s Local Airport’ through continual improvement of transport links with the capital, and caring for the local environment. The three main components of our proposed initial development phase would include: Improvements to the terminal building through the construction of a new pier, and a new layout which can be achieved through minor extension works that won’t disrupt the running of the airport. Extending the taxiway to increase the number of aircraft movements, creating new aircraft stands, and upgrading existing ones. Constructing two new traffic lanes to the south of ‘Airport Way’, leading into a newly created set down system in the Central Terminal Area, which will ease congestion and manage growth in the future. There is more information on the official website. Glyn Jones, managing director of London Luton, said: “The Mayor of London has proposed a new hub in the Thames Estuary to deal with the constraints on medium and long haul aviation capacity in London and the South East. “Today we have outlined a credible and realistic plan that, if approved, will put Luton at the heart of solving the burden on point-to-point short haul operators who want to grow.”