Airport expansion decision delayed for third time

The government had delayed its decision on London Luton Airport's expansion plans for a third time.

Luton Rising, the Luton Borough Council company that owns the airport, submitted an application for a Development Consent Order so it can increase the annual capacity of the site from 18 million passengers to 32 million.

The Department for Transport said the deadline for that decision, which was due on 3 January, had been delayed to 3 April 2025 so newly appointed transport secretary Heidi Alexander can have more time to consider the application.

Paul Kehoe CBE, the independent chair of Luton Rising, said: "This is now the third delay for a decision and naturally we are disappointed as we are ready to move forward with our plans as quickly as possible and bring in investment to start delivering the benefits."

He added: "Equally, we want to ensure the decision-making is robust so stand ready to provide any additional information that might be requested of us."

The government's examining authority submitted a report on the application on 10 May 2024.

Originally the decision was due by 10 August but was delayed until 3 January 2025 after the general election caused a change in the position of transport secretary to Labour MP Louise Haigh.

In November she was replaced by Ms Alexander after it emerged she pleaded guilty to a fraud offence a decade ago.

The Department for Transport said the extension will give "appropriate time to fully consider this complex application".

The airport believes its expansion plans could generate billions of pounds for the economy and create thousands of jobs for the Luton area.

They include new terminal capacity, an extension to the current airfield platform, and new airside and landside facilities.

London Luton Airport chief executive officer Alberto Martin said: "Growing the airport provides a compelling opportunity to back new infrastructure investment as a way to boost economic growth, drive up employment, and deliver on the government's ambition to make the UK the fastest-growing economy in the G7.

"We urge the transport secretary to make a decision as quickly as possible in the new year."

In a statement the Department for Transport said it will "endeavour to issue a decision ahead of the deadline above where possible".

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.