GROUNDED
Big UK airport sees huge multi-billion-pound expansion delayed by government – affecting millions of passengers
A top UK airline has launched a brand-new base at the airport - with flights to 17 holiday destinations already on sale
A DECISION regarding Luton Airport's £2.4billion expansion has been delayed by government officials for the third time - affecting millions of passengers.
Luton Rising, the owners of the London-based airport, want to build a new terminal to increase capacity by nearly 50 per cent.
3
The decision to approve the plans has been delayed by the UK government for the third time in five months.
Newly-appointed Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has delayed the decision in order to have more time to consider the application.
A decision regarding the multi-billion-pound expansion was first due back on August 10 - although the deadline was pushed backed because of the UK general election.
Labour MP Louise Haigh then delayed the decision until January 3, 2025, in September following the summer recess.
Read More on Airports
It is hoped that a decision will now be reached by April 3, 2025, with the Department for Transport seeking "appropriate time to fully consider this complex application".
A decision could also be reached before the April deadline.
Luton Rising wants to expand the current airfield platform and build new airside and landside facilities
While a new runway isn't part of the £2.4billion renovation, new taxiways are set to be installed.
Most read in News Travel
The Luton Dart rail service would also be extended under the plans, with a new long-stay car park also being built.
If the plans are approved, passenger capacity at the airport could increase from 18 million to 32 million.
World's best airport is now in Europe - with cheap flights, record-breaking museums and 317 destinations
The new plans could also support 11,000 jobs and generate £1.5billion to the local economy.
According to the BBC, Luton Airport chief executive officer, Alberto Martin, said: "Growing the airport provides a compelling opportunity to back new infrastructure investment as a way to boost economic growth, drive up employment, and deliver on the government's ambition to make the UK the fastest-growing economy in the G7.
"We urge the transport secretary to make a decision as quickly as possible in the new year."
Just last month, Jet2 announced it would be opening its 13th UK airport base at London Luton Airport.
The new base will offer flights to 17 holiday destinations with 430,000 seats already on sale.
Flights will start on April 1, 2025, with the first services flying to Majorca on the same day.
In total, 36 weekly flights will operate from the London-based airport next summer.
Jet2 will fly to the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, mainland Spain, Portugal, and Turkey.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
My View: Jet2's London Luton Airport Base
THE Sun's Head of Travel Lisa Minot explains what Jet2's new airport base at London Luton Airport means for holidaymakers in the south of England.
Jet2's latest base at London Luton Airport sees the airline consolidating its growth in the south of England and further cements its position as the UK’s biggest tour operator.
The airline and package holiday company has seen astonishing growth in the last two decades - and this October increased its ATOL licence yet again to more than seven MILLION passengers.
From its first Jet2 flight in 2002 from Leeds Bradford, the company has grown steadily off the back of excellent regional connectivity and superb customer service.
Its early years expansion in the north of England saw it offer millions of passengers direct flights from their local airports and recently it has sought to bring its flight offering to the south of the country, opening new bases in Bournemouth and Bristol.
Luton is its second base in the capital - it currently flies out of Stansted.
But with Luton’s fast, direct train access to central London as well as the opportunity to offer flights and holidays to the millions living in the capital and the commuter belt counties of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire this is sure to be a winner.
Jet2’s success is no flash-in-the-pan. The company has invested heavily in its customer service teams and grown at a pace where it can continue to offer the same level of support to its customers.
While it may not be the cheapest airline at Luton in terms of fares, its reliability and smooth experience both in airports and onboard will continue to convince yet more of us to fly with them.
The UK government has approved plans to expand London City Airport.
London Stansted Airport has revealed plans to welcome another 20million in the next 16 years, ahead of a £1.1billion renovation.
3
3