The two new stands between 9L and 40 will be numbered 60 and 61. The new Harrods Aviation apron will be numbered and called Stand 62.
As an interim measure, the Cargo Apron may be used for some limited passenger aircraft parking where the airline is agreeable to having the passengers coached to/from. Ultimately, an additional six-stand apron will be built east of Taxiway Delta to the north of the Engine Run Bay. However, this will require planning permission.
Rumoured that easyJet/FLS may acquire access to one of the main apron hangars as Britannia Engineering looks like winding down/closing down.
TBI appears to be seriously interesting several carriers (other than Ryanair) some of whom are indeed, looking to transfer from Stansted as Luton is seen as being more favourably located and the likely passenger facilities available from Summer 2005 are believed to be attracting significant interest. Whether any movement apart from RYR is seen prior to Autumn/Winter 2005 remains to be seen.
TBI is also talking to two long-haul carriers who operate Boeing 757 aircraft, one of whom would want to operate from LTN via an East European airport to the Far East; therefore, no payload or operating restrictions from Luton's runway.
Whilst Luton's transport links are certainly almost as good as Stansted's (accepted that the railway staion is a short bus ride away but at least it has trains that take you somewhere useful...), the airport's road system is appalling and is in desperate need of improving if TBI is really hoping to efficiently handle over 12M passengers by 2006.
What is also in desperate need of improving is the local airspace and air traffic control arrangements because it's already at times, unable to cope and causes delay to Luton's departing flights.
Still, TBI seems to have its eye firmly on the ball which for Luton, may mean that its time has finally come...
