Luton Airport urges swift decision on expansion

London Luton Airport has pressed for a decision on its expansion plans to be made "as quickly as possible"

Luton Rising, the council company that owns the airport, is awaiting a decision on the plans, which include a new terminal and could increase passenger capacity from 18 million to 32 million per year.

During her speech about growth, Chancellor Rachel Reeves backed a third runway for Heathrow Airport and promised that a decision on Luton, which has been delayed three times, would be made shortly.

Alberto Martin, chief executive of London Luton Airport, called on the government to formally approve the project.

"We welcome the Chancellor's growth speech [on Wednesday] and now call on the Secretary of State for Transport to formalise the government's approval of Luton's expansion plans," she said.

"Today, every £1 spent by passengers at the airport allows the local authority to invest 53p directly into local community causes – 20 times more than any other UK airport.

"Luton is now at a tipping point with a generational opportunity to boost investment in public services further, which the airport's growth will deliver."

The airport owners applied for a development consent order which is awaiting a decision from Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, due on 3 April.

Paul Kehoe, the independent chair of Luton Rising, said: "Our proposals can be supported by any government making economic growth its priority."

He welcomed the chancellor "recognising the role of airports in delivering growth of the national economy".

Mr Kehoe added: "Here at London Luton Airport we have a ready-to-go scheme that is primed to deliver an economic air bridge for the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor and contribute to the success of the country."

Campaign group Luton Alliance Denouncing Aviation Carbon And Noise (LADACAN), said it would "be very costly economically to ignore environmental protections".

Andrew Lambourne from the group added: "There is nothing sustainable about aviation fuel or flying – both damage the environment, and that damage is fast becoming an irreparable and increasing cost liability.

"Airport expansion at the present time is reckless short-sighted economic folly."

The Department for Transport has been contacted for comment.

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