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Luton airport expansion approved by government Luton airport expansion approved by government
(about 2 hours later)
The expansion plans include a new terminal building for the Bedfordshire-based airportThe expansion plans include a new terminal building for the Bedfordshire-based airport
London Luton Airport will see annual passenger numbers almost double to 32 million by 2043 after the government approved expansion plans. London Luton Airport hopes to almost double annual passenger numbers to 32 million by 2043 after the government approved expansion plans.
It comes despite the Planning Inspectorate recommending Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander rejects them over environmental concerns. It came despite the Planning Inspectorate recommending Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander rejected them over environmental concerns.
Luton Rising, the airport's owners, said the decision could bring "significant economic, employment and social benefits for our town".Luton Rising, the airport's owners, said the decision could bring "significant economic, employment and social benefits for our town".
However, environmental campaigners said "with climate change worsening, the last thing any of us need is 70,000 more aircraft a year".However, environmental campaigners said "with climate change worsening, the last thing any of us need is 70,000 more aircraft a year".
Luton was the UK's fifth busiest airport last year, with 16.9 million people travelling on 132,000 flights.Luton was the UK's fifth busiest airport last year, with 16.9 million people travelling on 132,000 flights.
The expansion plans involve building a new terminal, new taxiways and increasing capacity in the existing terminal, from its current 18 million passengers a year.The expansion plans involve building a new terminal, new taxiways and increasing capacity in the existing terminal, from its current 18 million passengers a year.
London Luton Airport's owners believe the expansion scheme will generate 11,000 new jobs 'Vital infrastructure'
A government source said: "Expansion will deliver huge growth benefits for Luton with thousands of good, new jobs and a cash boost for the local council which owns the airport. A spokesman for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was "pleased" with the decision.
"This is the 14th Development Consent Order approved by this Labour government, demonstrating we will stop at nothing to deliver economic growth and new infrastructure as part of our plan for change." He said: "Improving our national infrastructure is critical to achieving growth and delivering jobs across the country, and this decision will help us deliver growth as part of our plan for change.
The decision over expansion had been delayed three times - most recently so newly appointed Alexander could have more time to consider the application. "This step underlines the government's commitment to unlocking vital infrastructure and backing growth."
Heidi Alexander approved London Luton Airport's expansion plans The expansion decision had been delayed three times, most recently so newly appointed Alexander could have more time to consider the application.
Paul Kehoe, independent chair of Luton Rising which is owned by Luton Borough Council, said up to 11,000 new jobs would be created, along with "additional annual economic activity of up to £1.5bn" and "up to an additional £13m every year for communities and good causes". Paul Kehoe, independent chair of Luton Rising, which is owned by Luton Borough Council, said up to 11,000 new jobs would be created.
The announcement comes less than a week after Vauxhall's van-making factory in Luton was closed by parent company Stellantis, putting up to 1,100 jobs at risk. He said this was along with "additional annual economic activity of up to £1.5bn".
The airport wants to increase passenger capacity to 32 million a year The announcement came less than a week after Vauxhall's van-making factory in Luton was closed by parent company Stellantis, putting up to 1,100 jobs at risk.
In February, the government backed a second runway at Gatwick Airport, providing measures to reduce noise are put in place. Meanwhile the airport expansion became the latest to be backed by the government, which has made growth a priority.
A month earlier, Chancellor Rachel Reeves backed a third runway at Heathrow. Alexander said she was "minded to approve" a second runway at Gatwick Airport in February, while Chancellor Rachel Reeves has backed a third runway at Heathrow.
However, a second runway is not part of the plans at Luton. Andrew Lambourne, of campaign group LADACAN, said the government ignored the concerns of local people.
He said many felt the application was "out-of-keeping" with the area, adding: "People living under the flight path are already at risk of health damage from being awoken by night flights, so adding 70% more is inhumane."
Andrew Lambourne of campaign group LADACAN, which has opposed Luton airport's expansion, said the government had ignored local people. Countryside charity CPRE added the expansion made "a mockery" of the government's "commitment to reaching net zero by 2030".
He said: "The government has said it believes in local decision making, yet has ignored the 90% of residents, groups and councils which strongly opposed this application because they know it is out-of-keeping with the area.
"People living under the flight path are already at risk of health damage from being awoken by night flights, so adding 70% more is inhumane.
"And with climate change worsening, the last thing any of us need is 70,000 more aircraft a year creating greenhouse gases and contrails."
Countryside charity CPRE said the expansion made "a mockery" of the government's "commitment to reaching net zero by 2030".
It said: "Airport expansion will do nothing to boost UK growth. There has been no net increase in air travel for business purposes or in jobs in air transport since 2007."
Operators at the airport will compete over the new passenger capacity, including Luton-based Easyjet
Marion Geoffroy, managing director of Wizz Air which is the largest operator at the airport, said she hoped the increased capacity would allow the company to grow.
"We are absolutely confident, looking at the trends of the last few years, that there will be enough demand for us to put more capacity in Luton airport," she said.
Operators will be competing for the new space. Earlier this week, Jet2 began to offer routes for the first time, but Ms Geoffroy insisted "competition is good".
"Competition just makes you better. We are delighted the airport can offer more capacity, but we will be competing for sure."
The Planning Inspectorate recommended the government rejected the expansion over environmental concernsThe Planning Inspectorate recommended the government rejected the expansion over environmental concerns
One of the concerns expressed by the examining authority that assessed the application for the Planning Inspectorate was disruption to the "relative tranquillity" of the Chilterns. One of the concerns expressed by the examining authority, on behalf of the Planning Inspectorate, was disruption to the "relative tranquility" of the Chilterns.
It is understood the expansion plan would mean a plane flying over the area up to once every 15 minutes, compared with once every half an hour currently. It was understood the expansion plan would mean a plane flying over the area up to once every 15 minutes, compared with once every half an hour currently.
Mr Kehoe, from Luton Rising, said the airport had introduced limits on noise and greenhouse gas emissions.Mr Kehoe, from Luton Rising, said the airport had introduced limits on noise and greenhouse gas emissions.
"We also believe that our Green Controlled Growth framework represents the most far reaching commitment to the sustainable operation of an airport ever put forward in the UK," he said. Marion Geoffroy, managing director of Wizz Air, said she hoped the company, which is the airport's largest operator, could continue to grow.
"We are absolutely confident, looking at the trends of the last few years, that there will be enough demand for us to put more capacity in Luton airport," she said.
But operators will be competing for the new space. Earlier this week, Jet2 began to offer routes for the first time.
Ms Geoffroy insisted "competition is good", adding: "We are delighted the airport can offer more capacity, but we will be competing for sure."
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