In what is a complex situation plans to extend the capacity of Luton Airport (LTN) have been called in by Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove.

The airport is owned by Luton Council (London Luton Airport Ltd trading as Luton Rising).  The day-to-day management, London Luton Airport Operations Ltd (LLAOL) is delegated until 2032 to Spanish airport company Aena Internacional (51%), and AMP Capital (49%), a specialist global investment manager. Under this arrangement this consortium is responsible for the airport’s short-term development, and Luton Rising, for the next decade.  What happens at that point of time is too far away to really consider.

From a practical point of view LLAOL requires an increase from 18m to 19m passengers, in effect a temporary measure, which was passed by the Council.  In 2019 the airport moved 17,999,969 passengers.  As the outright owner Luton Rising is seeking a rise to 32m passengers by the end of the decade.

Should the numbers quickly return, as is predicted, Luton Airport might well look towards 19m passengers in 2023, hence the planning request. 

In a statement LLAOL said: “We are disappointed by the decision, but respect the Secretary of State’s request for the application to undergo further examination. The Government understands that airports are an important enabler of wider economic growth, and for LLA to play its part it’s important we can maximise our potential. Our plan enables us to do that by putting the airport on the best possible footing for a long-term recovery that supports the local economy and the creation of jobs following the worst crisis our industry has ever faced. This plan is consistent with our commitment to achieving carbon neutrality for our own operations by 2026, and to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.”

www.london-luton.co.uk