Luton Airport calls for government support as passenger numbers fall by 82% in October

While the airport will remain operational for essential travel - as it did during the first lockdown - with a ban on all other international and domestic travel, passenger numbers during November are expected to plummet by more than 95%.

Luton Airport is now calling for direct financial support for the aviation sector, which has been deeply affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Alberto Martin, CEO of London Luton Airport, said: “The airport remains ready to play its part in protecting public health, while keeping lifeline services moving throughout this second lockdown, as we did with the first.

"The ban on all but essential international travel will have a profound impact on the already struggling aviation industry.

"Along with the Airport Operators’ Association, we are calling for further support for the sector and for the thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on it.”

The airport is also calling for a testing system to be in place by December 2, to coincide with the end of the current lockdown period. Its bosses insist this will help get people moving again by minimising the need to quarantine those arriving in the UK.

For those passengers who do need to use the airport, there are safety measures including enhanced cleaning and sanitisation, hand sanitiser units across the airport and the use of protective screens at customer touch points.

Luton was the first UK airport to be awarded the Airport Health Accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI) for meeting global industry standards and best practice.