Dogfight over airport’s growth as operator sets out its own proposals

The operator of the transport hub, London Luton Airport Operations Limited (LLAOL), is due to set out counter proposals to those of the owner, London Luton Airport Limited (LLAL).

The owners are preparing the ground for the airport’s continued growth in case they decide to terminate the contract.

A consultation exercise being carried out by LLAL is due to end on March 26. The plans could go before Luton Council later this year.

The owners’ plans have been backed by Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce which sees them as offering a massive boost for local jobs.

But the airport operator has openly criticised and contradicted proposals for 275 more flights a day as potentially creating increased noise and air pollution. The owner says noise levels will decrease over time. And they add that the owner’s proposals could actually mean the airport could process more than the 18million passengers envisaged. They also say congestion would increase.

A spokesman for LLAOL said the operator was working on its plans before the owner made its announcements. But he added that the two sides were communicating.

And Steve Heappey, lead officer of owner LLAL, said: “We only recently received an outline proposal from the existing airport operator which we will be considering when further information is made available to us. We are continuing to develop and consult on our own proposal, announced in January, which is currently being presented at public exhibitions throughout Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.”

The LLAL plans can be seen at www.futureLuToN.co.uk