Luton Airport to outline expansion plans to public
London Luton Airport’s futureLuToN:Optimisation six week public consultation is to begin this week.
The plan will outline the airport’s proposal to increase the its capacity to 18 million passengers a year, create up to 6,000 new jobs and generate millions of pounds of investment.
The consultation process will consider how to optimise the capacity within its existing boundary and using its runway through modifications and improvements and seeks feedback, comments and questions from the whole of the local community.
The proposed plans aim to improve the airport’s congested road network, airport car parking, passenger terminal, aircraft taxiways, aprons, piers and aircraft parking stands.
The proposals include:
A new apron (where aircraft are parked, unloaded/loaded or refuelled) to provide additional aircraft stands and an appropriate manoeuvring area.
New piers connecting the departure lounge and boarding gates to improve the passenger experience.
Multi-storey car park to replace existing short stay car park, and will include a drop-off point.
Taxiways: new aircraft taxiway to ease aircraft ground movement and resolve bottlenecks extensions to provide full length parallel taxiway to the runway removing the need for aircraft to backtrack to the runway and thus increase runway capacity rapid exit taxiways to allow arriving aircraft an opportunity to clear the runway quicker, aiding runway capacity and unnecessary aircraft taxiing.
New road access to the central terminal area and car parks, reducing traffic bottlenecks.
All views and opinions of local people, regional communities and stakeholders will help inform Luton Airport in its submission to the planning authority, Luton Borough Council.
Public exhibitions will be held across the airport’s region so that people can drop in and find out what is proposed.
During the six week consultation period, the public is encouraged to provide comments and feedback online.
Cllr Robin Harris, chair of airport operator LLAL commented: “Government forecasts show an air travel capacity shortage in the south-east of England by 2020 and we believe that London Luton Airport has the ability to help meet this shortage.
“The benefits that will flow from the airport’s development will be realised in the local, regional and national economies.”