Do you think this influx of new operations has anything to do with the governments failure to decide on Heathrow and airlines realizing they are going to have to diversify and get creative.
Luton is very well placed with a Large catchment area that spans multiple counties. It can serve London just as much as it can serve people near the Midlands. Throw in all the shires in between and the growing population in these areas. Airlines probably feel they need to get operations moving immediately in an airport with a possibility to expand in the future.
Ryanair destroys anyone in STN, LHR is full and LGW is filling. I think both of those will be jam packed with nothing much but Long Haul 5 years from now and LTN will have picked up even more random european carriers. Infact I can even see long haul connections a good few years in the future with the likes of the A321LR if LHR isn't sorted. I don't think that is getting carried away either.