Take easyjet out of the equation and Luton is handling less passengers than it did 30 years ago when Court Line reached its peak despite the new terminal and new rail link. Luton is though the UK’s number one when it comes to executive jet movements.
As for future investment the only things planned for the short term are a new pier serving the 3 north apron stands that can handle 747’s and 3 of the stands on the 6 pack that can handle Tristar’s DC10’s etc. Part of the unused lounge above the check-in area will be opened up and plans for a new immigration hall are well advanced.
TBI revealed at a recent meeting that today’s capacity without further expansion are as follows:
• Terminal capacity 12-14mppa
• Stand capacity 12 -14mppa
• Runway capacity 14-16mppa
• Runway with full II taxiway 18-22mppa
• Infrastructure - road, rail and air 15-20mppa
All this on an original planning application for a new terminal that would handle 5 mppa but then it was Luton Council that applied for planning permission to itself when it was running the airport. By claiming 5 mppa it avoided an expensive public enquiry.