London Luton Airport has signed a new ten year deal with easyJet, the UK’s largest airline, which will more than double the number of easyJet passengers using the Airport to over nine million a year.

The agreement, which will see the creation of 2,500 new jobs at the Airport and in the surrounding region, is expected to open up new business and leisure routes as well as adding additional frequency on easyJet’s existing 39 routes from London Luton.

It will bring immediate growth to the Airport, with plans to grow the airline’s capacity by around 20 per cent over the next year.

Glyn Jones, managing director of London Luton Airport, said: “easyJet is our largest airline partner, accounting for 45 per cent of all passengers using the airport.

“We see this as a real vote of confidence in London Luton Airport and its future, underlining the determination of our new owners, Ardian and Aena, to develop and radically improve London Luton and deliver a better airport experience for our passengers in the years to come.

“The creation of new jobs, the opening up of new routes and the increased frequency of flights to popular destinations is great news for the entire local region.

“London Luton Airport is of central importance to thousands of people across the Three Counties and London.

“We are delighted that this exciting new deal with easyJet will mean more choice for our passengers and greater access to new and existing markets for our local businesses.”

Carolyn McCall, chief executive of easyJet, said the deal was a substantial, long term commitment with London Luton Airport, which would enable the carrier to double its size there in the next decade and add an even greater range of business and leisure destinations.

She added: “We are looking forward to working with the Airport, and the new concession owners Ardian and Aena.

“Their financial investment and long term commitment to developing London Luton were a key factor in our agreeing to this new deal and will help us deliver our plans.”