The Council owned company LRT is trying to influence the planning decision by its own Council in this letter. While most here will support the views in the letter there is something rather unsavoury about it as the letter admits there is a clear conflict of interest that should be ignored. Also while the application is in the airport operators name we all know it is the Council's idea.
As for the Council's declared Climate Emergency, aircraft flying into the airport are excluded which is rather convenient.
Dear David Gurtler,
Re LONDON LUTON AIRPORT, AIRPORT WAY, LUTON
Application No. 21/00031/VARCON
We are not making this application – it is being made by LLAOL, the operators of the airport.
Nonetheless, as the owners of the airport, we have a lot at stake here, as, I would suggest, do the communities of Luton and the surrounding areas.
I am grateful for this chance to explain why.
The proposed increase in the passenger cap from 18 million passengers per annum (mppa) to 19 mppa is not just about an immediate need to increase capacity.
Indeed, as of course you are aware, current passenger numbers are way lower than they were in the last pre-pandemic year, 2019, when they reached 18m. Passenger numbers are projected to recover to those pre-pandemic levels, but this won't happen immediately.
Why then, is LLAOL making this application, and why is it so important that it is approved?
Sending the right signal
This is about accelerating the airport’s recovery and safeguarding the long-term economic wellbeing of the airport. Airlines that choose to use LLA need to feel that this is an airport that can allow them to grow.
Airlines plan new routes more than a year in advance. Without providing reassurance to them that there is space for them to develop and accommodate new routes, LLA is at risk of losing out to other airports in the London system that do have spare capacity. Luton and our sub-region would lose out on those additional jobs and the boost to the local economy.
Yet there is a greater danger still. If airlines see an airport that is not attuned to their future growth, it also puts a question mark in their minds about where to base their current routes. At Luton, we know only too well from the past of how damaging it is when airlines leave, and how hard it is to then win them back.
What about the environment?
We understand the natural and reasonable concerns that councillors and members of the community may have about the environmental impact of increasing capacity.
We should point out that this application does not require any additional construction – it makes the best use of the current site and facilities (in line with Government policy).
LLAOL have undertaken a full Environmental Impact Assessment which shows that any adverse effects the project may have on the surrounding environment will be minimal. They have also committed to implement plans to continue reducing their carbon footprint with a view to being carbon neutral by 2026 and net zero by 2040.
When the additional capacity is used (which won't be for some time), they would expect only a small increase in the noise footprint. LLA already has some of the most stringent noise conditions in place at any UK airport, including a ban on the noisiest types of aircraft, and a ban on ad-hoc flights during the night-time period.
Regarding road traffic, any potential increase would be mitigated by the introduction of the Luton DART, in spring 2021, aimed at tempting a growing proportion of passengers away from their cars and on to the train.
As for airline carbon emissions, we accept that the impact is largely out of LLA’s hands, with reductions depending on industry-wide adoption of greener technologies, and genuine offsetting. However, the airport will play its role by incentivising the deployment of the newest, most efficient aircraft types, and working with partners to identify how it transforms its infrastructure to accommodate future aircraft and fuel types such as hydrogen. Whatever the level of adoption, the stark truth is that these flights will be operating anyway – stopping them at Luton will just send them elsewhere.
This is not a cost-free decision
To conclude, I want to make the clear point that this is not a cost-free decision. Consider what is at stake. Many jobs at LLA and among the companies based at the airport have been jeopardised by the recent decline in passenger numbers. The airport is one of the largest employers in the region – in 2019, the airport employed 10,000 people directly, with another 17,000 employed in the supply chain.
Further, through our company, LLAL, income generated from the airport funds 15% of the Council’s frontline services, with a further £8.5m in a typical year contributed to support community groups.
And let’s not ever forget the benefits the facility provides to the people of our region –enabling us to connect with friends and families, to have a life experience with loved ones, or to allow the flow of essential goods and services that businesses, and we as customers, rely on.
Approving the application will ensure that the airport makes a positive statement that it is a good partner for airlines who want to grow their businesses. Turning down the application will send the opposite message, with potentially extremely serious ramifications for jobs, for the regional economy, and for our communities.
Yours sincerely,
Graham Olver
CEO and Corporate Director London Luton Airport Ltd (Council employee)