Luton Airport expansion to 32 million passengers to go ahead after clearing legal hurdles

The airport plans to expand by up to 60 per cent by the mid 2040s, an increase from its current cap of 19 million passengers annually.

The expansion could support up to 11,000 new jobs and bring in up to £1.5 billion a year to the economy, according to Luton Rising, the Luton Council company that owns London Luton Airport.

Luton Rising confirmed the Supreme Court refused the campaign group Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (LADACAN) permission to appeal, ending a series of legal challenges against the Development Consent Order granted by the transport secretary.

Luton Rising chair Paul Kehoe CBE said: "The conclusion of the legal process means we can now move forward with confidence, delivering a project that will bring significant economic benefits to Luton and the wider region while meeting stringent environmental conditions."

He said the airport's growth would continue to fund council services and described the expansion as an opportunity to create jobs, improve transport links and strengthen the local economy.

But Andrew Lambourne, from LADACAN, said the end of the end of legal proceedings does not prove the airport's economic claims.

He argued the figure of up to 11,000 new jobs is based on overall economic impact and could include jobs moving from other airports rather than creating new ones.

And the group questioned the airport's passenger forecasts, saying actual passenger numbers have been consistently lower than projected. It claims that 17.6 million passengers used the airport last year, compared with an expected 19.8 million.

It also disputed claims that airport jobs pay above the national living wage, arguing they are based on regional industry figures, not actual airport wages.

Mr Lambourne said: “Tens of thousands of people live beneath Luton’s flight paths and will experience 70 per cent more night flights if this expansion proceeds. A Community First Fund of up to £13 million per year does not

compensate for the chronic health and wellbeing impacts of sustained aircraft noise exposure.

“The legal process is over. The scrutiny of the operation is not, and LADACAN will continue that.”

Cllr Tahmina Saleem, leader of Luton Council, said: “London Luton Airport sits at the heart of our town, and I’ve seen first-hand what Luton Rising’s community investment funding can mean for local families – helping lift children out of poverty, bringing greater employment opportunities, and giving young people the self-belief that they can go further in their aspirations. As the airport grows, so does the power to change local lives and so we are determined to make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity.”

Gidon Freeman, senior vice-president and managing director at Universal Destinations & Experiences, added: “Just over 15 minutes away from London Luton Airport, we are delivering one of the largest ever investments in the UK tourism sector with the construction of Universal United Kingdom Resort. Our world-class theme park and resort will attract millions of visitors each year, including more than a million additional overseas visitors. This is an exciting time for the region, and we look forward to working in partnership as Luton Airport brings forward its development plans.”