London Luton Airport celebrates its 70th Birthday
Published: 17 July 2008
Today, representatives of Luton Borough Council were joined by the airport management team and some of the airport’s longest serving employees to mark the official birthday.
70 years ago today, 16th July 1938, London Luton Airport was officially opened as "Luton Municipal Airport" by the Right Honourable Kingsley Wood, Secretary of State for Air.
The airport continued to operate as a commercial aerodrome during the war and in 1952 a new control tower was opened. The next 20 years saw the birth of affordable holidays at Luton and in 1969 a fifth of all holiday flights from the UK departed from Luton Airport.
In 1978 Luton was recognised as an integral part of the London airports system and plans were made to take airport into the 1990s and on to five million passengers a year. A new international terminal building was opened by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1985.
The airport was renamed London Luton Airport in 1990 to reflect its true standing in the London airport network and in late 1995 London Luton Airport helped pioneer an entirely new concept in Europe - 'low cost' flying - by becoming the first UK base for easyJet.
The airport's new terminal opened in 1999 along with the airport rail station. In July 2005, with passenger numbers approaching 10 million, the new terminal was further developed with the opening of a new Departure Lounge and Retail / Catering complex, boarding pier and arrivals area.
London Luton Airport has been at the heart of its local community since opening in 1938 and has played a major part in the lives of many local people. In 2008 the airport employs around 8,500 people making the airport the largest private sector employer in Luton, as well as a major economic driver for the regional economy.
In its 70th Birthday year, the airport has brought forward a whole range of initiatives and local projects to support people in different areas of the community as part of its Community Engagement Strategy.
Today, representatives of Luton Borough Council were joined by the airport management team and some of the airport's longest serving employees to mark the official birthday. A service open to all airport employees and passengers was held at the airport's chapel for people to meet and reflect on their time at the airport.
Glyn Jones, London Luton Airport Operations Managing Director, said "We are immensely proud of the very real contribution the airport has made to Luton and its local communities over the past 70 years. The airport will continue to play a significant role in the region's economy in the years to come and is committed to being a good neighbour working passionately and thoughtfully to enhance the social, economic and environmental life of its community."
Councillor Robin Harris, Deputy Leader of Luton Borough Council and Chair of London Luton Airport Limited, said "The importance of the airport to the local economy over the last 70 years cannot be underestimated and its impressive growth over recent years is a testament to the successful public private partnership between Luton Borough Council and TBI Airports."
London Luton Airport is now one of the UK's busiest airports offering scheduled flights with easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Monarch, Aer Arann, Thomsonfly, Sky Europe, Flybe and XL Airways with frequent departures to over 90 destinations in 3 continents.
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Editors notes
Today the airport is operated and developed by a consortium TBI Airports. Within the consortium Abertis Infraestructuras, a leading European infrastructure provider, is a 90 per cent majority shareholder and Aena Internacional, the international business arm of Aena- the Spanish national airport and air traffic control organisation, is a 10 per cent shareholder.
In January 2008 London Luton Airport launched its Community Engagement Strategy, which sets out the Airport's formal commitments to the community up to 2012. The strategy focuses on three action areas, 'A Better Environment', 'A Vibrant Neighbourhood' and 'A Growing Economy', identifying priority programmes in each one.
As well as outlining the Airport's priorities for the next five years, the document also summarises its commitments for 2008, which include the publishing of a revised environmental policy, practical support for at least 20 local community projects and the development of a schools outreach programme.