Plans to expand the size of London Luton Airportwhich would see it almost double in capacity by 2043, have just been approved by the UK Government. Passenger numbers are expected to increase from their current point of under 17 million to around 32 million in the move that would see a second terminal built at the airport north of the capital.
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander granted the development consent for the airport to expand its site, a decision which has overruled planning inspectors who recommended blocking the move due to environmental concerns. The Planning Inspectoratewhich is the arms-length government body to deal with national infrastructure applications, were concerned over the disruption to the Chilterns national landscape in construction.
Luton Airport was the fifth busiest airport in the UK last year (and the fourth busiest in London), and the new expansion could see its runway used for 77,000 more flights per year. In 2024, there were 132,000 flights from the airport.
Speaking on the news, a government source said: “The transport secretary has approved the expansion of Luton airport for its benefits to Luton and the wider UK economy. The decision overturns the Planning Inspectorate’s recommendation for refusal. 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’.”
Environmental groups have since expressed concern over the project, after the Planning Inspectorate’s recommendation was overruled by the government.
As reported by the BBCAndrew Lambourne of campaign group LADACAN said: “The government has said it believes in local decision making, yet has ignored the 90% of residents, groups and councils which strongly opposed this application because they know it is out-of-keeping with the area.
“People living under the flight path are already at risk of health damage from being awoken by night flights, so adding 70% more is inhumane. And with climate change worsening, the last thing any of us need is 70,000 more aircraft a year creating greenhouse gases and contrails.”
