Stansted thinks big while Luton thinks small
While BAA plans to spend a total of £8.69bn (€12.97bn) on its three London airports TBI the operator of Luton revealed its spending plans for its flagship airport as it takes on Stansted and Gatwick for new business. Paul Kehoe the chief executive of Luton Airport today announced that just £20 million would be spent on redevelopment and expansion, but not for two or three years or until passenger figures warranted the move. Compare this with what BAA are spending, £7.19bn (€10.73bn) at Heathrow, £841m (€12.55m) at Gatwick and £662m (€988m) at Stansted. But then BAA know that airlines will flock to its airports while TBI assume the same and has all but given up the fight for new airlines.
It is clear that TBI have neither the vision nor the money to expand Luton to its full potential. A very sad day for an airport whose catchment area is only second to Heathrow.
On a more positive note executive jet movements are breaking all records with a growth rate of around 30%.
Last edited by LTNman; 29th Apr 2004 at 21:22.