Government approve plans to expand Luton Airport

The British government have approved plans to expand the capacity of Luton Airport.

Following a review by the government’s Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, the government approved plans to expand Luton Airport’s capacity from 18 million passengers per annum (mppa) up to 32 million mppa, despite planning inspectors previously recommending the rejection of the scheme on environmental grounds.

Work that will feature as part of the scheme would include new terminal capacity, additional taxiways and other transport infrastructure, the construction of landside support buildings, surface access adjustments, mitigation works and other associated development.  

Plans to expand Luton Airport had been submitted in February 2023 during the previous Conservative government’s tenure, but a final decision on whether to approve expansion was deferred four times in total by both the Conservative government and the Labour government that took charge of the UK in July 2024.

A spokesperson speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister told BBC News that they were happy with the decision to expand the airport.

The spokesperson 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.

“This step underlines the government’s commitment to unlocking vital infrastructure and backing growth.”

Approval comes at at time when the British government have been discussing plans to expand airport capacity around London, with reports earlier this year that the government were also planning to expand Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

Luton is the UK’s fifth largest airport, trailing only Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Stansted with nearly 17 million passengers travelling through in 2024.

Paul Kehoe CBE, Independent Chair of Luton Rising, the Luton Council company that owns London Luton Airport, praised the decision in a statement.

Kehoe said, “We welcome the announcement from the Secretary of State for Transport that our application for the long-term sustainable growth of our airport has been approved. Today’s decision enables us to continue detailed planning for the next chapter in the success story of London Luton Airport.

“The benefits are clear. At a new capacity of 32 million passengers per year, our scheme will deliver up to 11,000 new jobs, additional annual economic activity of up to £1.5bn, and up to an additional £13m every year for communities and good causes.

“We will review the details of the Order and look forward to working with our partners to realise the significant economic, employment and social benefits for our town, the region and across the UK, as we contribute towards the Government’s vision for national growth.”

Alberto Martin, Chief Executive Officer, London Luton Airport, added, “We welcome today’s approval from Government, which now provides Luton with a generational opportunity to transform the town and our region’s economy. Once complete, these plans will generate an additional £1.5 billion for the economy every year and create up to 11,000 jobs.

“Our priority now is to finalise a commercial agreement with Luton Council to renew our successful partnership so together we can deliver on the Government’s growth policy, and make the expansion plans a reality as soon as possible. This will put Luton at the heart of a collective mission to achieve sustainable economic growth.”

It is as yet unclear when construction may begin on the airport site.