A three-year transformation phase has concluded at London Luton Airport (LTN). The airport now has an upgraded terminal complete with extra sitting space for 1,000 people, free Wi-Fi and 30 new high-end stores including Hugo Boss and Chanel. It also features a multi-storey car pack, a dual carriageway and bus interchange.
The airport expects that the £160million upgraded terminal will allow the airport to serve 16.5million passengers by the end of 2018, which is 5% higher than the same time last year.
Nick Barton, CEO of London Luton Airport said: “2018 has been a milestone year for LLA. We celebrated our 80th anniversary in the summer and now we have completed our three-year transformation, which brings a host of benefits to passengers. This is a new era for LLA. We are the fastest-growing major London airport and are now in a position to play an increasingly important role in the UK’s aviation network.”
Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling said: “London Luton’s investment firmly puts passengers at the heart of development and will improve the experience of those using the airport for business or holidays.
“Supporting thriving airports like London Luton will form a part of the government’s aviation 2050 consultation, ensuring the benefits of transformation are felt across the local area.”
Activists however say the airport has failed to reduce noise pollution to which the airport said it has applied for additional flight restrictions, the BBC reported.
Andrew Lambourne, the chairman of Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (LADACAN), said: “The airport has failed to deliver on its promises in 2013 to reduce noise.
“The situation has now got so bad that it's in breach of a key planning condition controlling the noise footprint, and is preparing to ask for it to be set aside for five years rather than actually solving the problem.
“Flights have increased by 90% on a key route. Commercial gain is trumping any kind of environmental responsibility at Luton.”
A spokesman for LLA said: “The growing demand for air travel has seen us marginally exceed our night time noise footprint by 1.5km².
“To address this and reduce our night time noise footprint immediate steps were taken to apply further restrictions on flights over the busy summer period.
“Our noise control measures are some of the most stringent of any major UK airport.”
By Airport Pickups London
