London Luton Airport expansion plans set to boost economy, create jobs, and enhance sustainability

London Luton Airport Operations Limited (LLAOL), operated by Aena and InfraBridge, supports the UK Chancellor’s backing for sustainable airport growth. Luton Rising, Luton Council’s airport company, has submitted a Development Consent Order (DCO) to expand LLA’s capacity from 19 million to 32 million passengers over the next two decades. A swift decision could unlock £1.5 billion in annual economic growth.

Alberto Martin, Chief Executive Officer, London Luton Airport said: “We welcome the Chancellor’s growth speech and now call on the Secretary of State for Transport to formalise the government’s approval of Luton’s expansion plans. Today, every £1 spent by passengers at the airport, allows the local authority to invest 53p directly into local community causes – 20 times more than any other UK airport. Luton is now at a tipping point with a generational opportunity to boost investment in public services further, which the airport’s growth will deliver. We are now focused on finalising our longer-term partnership with the council to make this expansion, the government’s growth policy, and Luton’s local ambition for sustainable economic growth a reality.” 

Details of the plans

Since 2013, LLA has generated over £500 million in concession fees for Luton Council, funding public services and community projects. The expansion aligns economic benefits with strong sustainability commitments under a ‘Green Controlled Growth’ strategy, featuring legally binding limits on noise, carbon emissions, air quality, and surface access.

If approved, the plans would create 11,000 new jobs, enhance transport links, expand consumer choice, and increase airline competition. LLA has experienced rapid growth, with passenger numbers rising 50% in a decade, from 11 million in 2014 to 17 million today.

Continued investment from LLAOL’s shareholders will be crucial for one of the region’s largest construction projects, requiring an extension of the public-private partnership beyond its 2032 end date. This expansion would cement LLA’s role as a key driver of local and national economic growth.

Rodrigo Marabini Ruiz, Director of International Subsidiaries at Aena said: “The airport contributes a significant proportion of Luton Council’s budget each year, and we are proud to operate one of the UK’s most community-driven infrastructure assets that is focused on making a positive impact for that purpose. Increasing the airport’s capacity by over 70% sustainably will require an investment and operating partner with specialist skills and expertise, and as the world’s largest airport operators, we are ready to support Luton’s next chapter.”

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