Plans to expand Luton Airport have been approved by the government in a move that could nearly double its annual capacity to 32 million passengers.The decision was announced by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander on Tuesday, despite a recommendation from the Planning Inspectorate that she reject it based on environmental concerns.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.“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.”The plans include a new terminal, an extension to the current airfield platform, as well as new airside and landside facilities.They could increase passenger capacity from 18 million to 32 million per year, allowing its runway to be used for 77,000 more flights per year than it saw in 2024.The airport believes it could generate £1.5bn for the economy and Luton Borough Council has said the expansion will create 11,000 jobs nationally, with 6,000 of these in the three counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire surrounding the airport.Luton Rising, the Luton Council company which owns the airport, welcomed the government’s decision which it said would allow it to continue planning for the “next chapter of the success story” of the airport.Paul Kehoe CBE, chair of Luton Rising, said a poll carried out by the company showed more than five times as many people support the expansion plans than oppose them, adding: “We would like to thank the many thousands in the local and business communities who have supported us in successfully making the case for growth.”The decision has been delayed three times: the original deadline of 10 August 2024 was delayed until 3 January 2025 because the general election meant Labour’s Louise Haigh took over as transport secretary from Conservative Mark Harper.
This was then delayed until 3 April so that Heidi Alexander, who replaced Ms Haigh in late November, could have more time to consider the application.Shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon described the approval as a “welcome development” which could boost the local economy and improve connectivity across the UK, but added: “It is clear Labour still do not understand that backing projects that will take years to complete will not mitigate against the impacts of their punishing jobs tax, which will devastate the economy, kill jobs and make every working household £3,5000 worse off.”Luton was the UK’s fifth busiest airport last year, with 16.9 million passengers travelling on 132,000 flights.Campaigners representing local residents have reacted angrily to the decision to expand it further.
Andrew Lambourne, of the group Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise, said the government has ignored the residents, groups and councils which opposed the application.He said rural roads around Luton will not be able to handle an additional 40,000 passengers per day, adding people living under the flight path risk worsened health from being awoken by night flights.Mr Lambourne said: “With climate change worsening, the last thing any of us need is 70,000 more aircraft a year creating greenhouse gases and contrails.
“The government appears to have lost sight of the bigger picture.”The costs of damage caused by worsening climate change will wipe out any benefits of its Clean Power Plan within 5 years, and cheap flights simply export money out of the UK economy to be spent overseas.”There is no quick fix to decarbonise the aviation industry, and the UK needs an overall aviation carbon budget rather than continuing to allow piecemeal airport expansion.”Marion Geoffroy, UK Managing Director for Wizz Air which is the largest airline operating at Luton Airport, said the airline is “very, very happy about the decision”, adding: “It’s great news for Wizz Air, it’s great news for the area.”She added expansion will mean more slots, aircraft and passengers for the airline, which currently has 12 aircraft based at Luton.In response to environmental concerns, Ms Geoffroy continued: “We’re extremely conscious of that, we all live in the same world.”Aviation is twice as efficient as it was 30 years ago, we grow efficiently and with sustainable aircraft.”The transition to more sustainable aviation started a long time ago.”But Jenny Bates, air pollution and transport campaigner at Friends Of The Earth, said it “beggars belief” that airport expansion is being approved at a time when the UK has wildfire warnings in place.
She said: “Instead of approving this highly damaging project, based on the hope that new technologies will one day make flying green, the Government should be investing in the green economy which grew by 10% and generated £83.1bn for the UK in 2024.”This is a breaking story and will be updated Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
