Whilst I agree that this a typical P.R. piece, I'm intrigued by how LTN Man already has the 2018 figures to hand - perhaps the development at Luton included a fancy time machine?
Actual passenger growth 2017 vs 2018:
Hmmm, let's have a wider look at London airports between 2016 and 2017, specifically LCY 2016: 4,538,813; LCY 2017: 4,530,439, a "negative growth" of 8,374.
I just love how statistics can be manipulated to put the slant on any story.
Planesspeaking, agree entirely, however just 'illuminating' the discussion on my part.