Major UK airport forced to delay huge new £2.4billion expansion plans that would double passenger numbers
LUTON Airport has been forced to delay its mega £2.4billion expansion plans again.
The airport’s owners, Luton Rising, are hoping to build a new terminal at the airport in a bid to increase capacity by nearly 50 per cent.
But a decision to approve the plans has been delayed by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh.
She said: “The reason for the extension is to enable the applicant further time to provide requested information, and for that information to be considered, including by interested parties, before the final determination of the application.”
It is the second time a decision regarding the multi-billion expansion project has been pushed back.
Earlier this year, former Transport Secretary Mark Harper also delayed his decision regarding the airport’s expansion.
The owners are also hoping to build new airside and landside facilities in addition to expanding the current airfield platform.
A new runway won’t feature as part of the expansion but new taxiways will be installed.
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.
The new expansion could also support 11,000 jobs and generate £1.5billion to the local economy.
Airport Owner Luton Rising added: “In addition, expansion of our airport will deliver important new connectivity for the local area, helping to attract new businesses and improve productivity as well as allowing local residents more opportunities to visit friends and family and travel globally.”
The expansion plans have been met with backlash by some locals, with critics saying it would negatively affect the quality of lives in the area.
A decision on the expansion plans is expected by January 3, 2025.
Several other airports across the UK are also hoping to expand and increase passenger capacity in the coming years.
The UK government has approved plans to expand London City Airport.
London City Airport will be able to process an extra 2.5 million passengers when the work is complete.
A ban on Saturday afternoon flights at the airport will remain in place.
London City initially wanted to scrap that curfew, as it sought to expand annual capacity to nine million passengers, up from 6.5 million, by 2031.
And earlier this year, Bournemouth Airport revealed plans to expand its terminal amid a wave of new flights being launched.
Following the addition of flights, the airport is predicted to welcome one million passengers last year – the first time in 15 years.
The airport is now looking into expansion plans for its only terminal to cope with the increased demand.
A spokesman told local media: “With the fantastic news about Jet2.com and Jet2holidays making Bournemouth their 12th UK airport base with the start of 16 routes from next April, we are looking at how we can invest to deliver the best possible customer experience to all passengers.
“We are working with the local authority and other stakeholders as we plan that investment, and we look forward to sharing more details in the future.”
East Midlands Airport’s £120million renovation will include new security halls, luggage scanners and resurfaced runways, which will be completed in the next five years.
UK airport's £1.3bn renovation plans
LUTON isn't the only airport hoping to expand.
Manchester Airport has been working on a huge £1.3billion transformation, with plenty of brand-new facilities.
The project was first announced back in 2015 and was split into two phases.
The early stages saw the airport’s Terminal 2 more than double in size before its west side reopened to passengers in July 2021.
Now in its final phase, work is focusing on the east side of Terminal 2, including a second pier with additional boarding gates.
Construction work on the pier began back in June 2023, and it is nearly complete.
When the brand-new pier opens, it will double the aircraft capacity at Manchester Airport.
Airbus A380 passenger jets will also compatible with the new boarding gates.
There are plenty of other features for passengers to get excited about when the expansion opens in 2025, including 27 new restaurants, bars and shops.
Meanwhile, this new £4.7bn airport will be the biggest in its continent when it’s built.
And this £564m airport will be built in an overlooked European city by 2029.