London Luton Airport asks for public opinion on increasing its capacity to 32 million passengers per year. The proposal includes the expansion of Terminal 1 to accommodate around 21.5 million passengers per year and the construction of Terminal 2, which is estimated to increase airport capacity to 27 million passengers per year. A further expansion of Terminal 2 is also being proposed to increase the final capacity to 32 million passengers per year.
The Proposal
The doubling of the airport’s current capacity means there will be an average of 3 extra flights per day. This has frustrated some locals due to concerns of further local strain on public transport, pollution and noise disturbance.
However, the proposal includes 13 events that members of the public can attend to see the plans in detail and raise any queries. Luton Rising, the owner of London Luton Airport, has also produced information packs, videos and virtual exhibitions with the expansion details.
Chair of Luton Rising, Javeria Hussain, said in a statement recently:
“We want to maximise the social and economic benefits of growth and firmly believe there is a way to grow an airport in a sustainably responsible way. Our consultation sets out how we propose to achieve this. Sustainability is about more than environmental issues – it’s social and economic impacts too. Our airport is a vital part of the economic ecosystem of the region and beyond, directly and indirectly supporting tens of thousands of jobs. The proposed expansion will generate thousands more jobs and an extra £1 billion in economic activity in Luton and the neighbouring counties. We want more local people to be able to access these jobs, so our proposals also include an extensive Draft Employment and Training Strategy to make that possible.”
The public can submit their feedback on the proposal via the form on the Luton Rising website. Chief Executive of Luton Rising, Graham Olver, said:
“We would encourage as many people as possible to take a look at these proposals, and to give us your feedback on them. The views expressed at the 2019 consultation were an important influence on the changes we have made since then. This is the chance to have your say on our new plans and help us to improve them even further.”
Do you think the proposed expansion of Luton Airport will benefit the locals or not? Let us know in the comments below!
