Luton makes transatlantic approach
Andrew Clark
Guardian
Tuesday May 7, 2002
Luton Airport has approached Continental Airlines with a proposal for the American carrier to begin regular flights between Luton and New York, in a plan which would mean the first scheduled transatlantic service from the Bedfordshire airport.
The airport, which is owned by the aviation group TBI, also wants Thameslink to rename certain rail services from London as the "Luton Express" in return for a contribution towards marketing.
The ambitious proposals are part of Luton's efforts to be taken seriously as an international hub in advance of the publication of the government's strategy for airport capacity in south-east England, due in June.
Continental already flies to Newark airport from Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow. The airline introduced a daily service from Stansted in May last year but the route was suspended following September 11.
Luton's proposal comes as the Houston-based airline considers whether to reinstate more flights to the south-east of England.
A Continental spokesman confirmed that the airline had received an approach from Luton but added that there were no "active discussions" about the idea.