If they add more stands then the departure lounge would need to be increased in size. When I was in there, as a passenger, at 6am on Bank Holiday Monday, the place seemed rather full.

It also took 25 minutes from push back to actually get the aircraft onto the runway due to a queue of departures and arrivals so a full parallel taxiway would also be needed to stop the back tracking.

I'm sure that this has definately been discussed before but I missed out on knowing anything about it - I know the LLA Master Plan was withdrawn but was it withdrawn permenantly or just for a certain time period; and what was the actual reason for the withdrawal?

I think a full length taxiway at the eastern end is very costly as there is a big hole to fill in.

The western end would also be difficult; relocation of the carpark and posibly fire station.

Live in Harpenden based in MXP, it's the first time in months i've read pprune and come away with a smile on my face.

No more LGW and no more Ryanair.

Molto molto bene.

Windjet! Seems the rumours of 'courting' foreign airlines is paying off!

Now what is their R/T call sign, bottyburp?

In my opinion, I agree ever since LTN saw big increase in their numbers since the mid 90's with the likes of Debonair and easyJet starting. The airport has seemed like a constant building site.

Im not on here to knock the airport, but to accommodate the additional numbers the airports many owners seem to have only ever done half hearted efforts to increase the capacity. Doing this at minimal cost and for short term relief!

Lets face it the tin-minal, probably doesn't have a life span much beyond 2025, being made of a prefabricated construction.

Im not saying an airport needs to be an architectural masterpiece, but when you arrive at the airport it does look dowdy and in some ways a bit of a dump. You have a hodge-podge of mobile offices, the old terminal, the easyJet hangar and shiny new tin-minal...

When the new tin-minal opened, I thought the old terminal was earmarked for demolition and eventually all airport passenger facilities would be in the new terminal... At least if the old terminal is not to be demolished, they could at least give it an external face lift and give it some tim cladding! ;)

Also they need to get rid of those awful temporary building with the boarding gates for the Ryanair flights. That should have gone years ago and something more permanent put in its place!

If the front of old terminal was demolished this would atleast hugely increase the drop off zone for buses, giving extra capacity!

Does anyone know if there are any plans to dual the road right up to the terminal? I notice two additional spare lanes that go under the taxiway, still remain unused!

When the new terminal was opened, I am sure it was stated that they would seek to extend the terminal, when passenger numbers increased beyond 10 million per year. As the design allowed this happen, with them being able to extend to the south, where the drop off zone is. I am sure artist impressions also showed another six pack where the short term car park is, along with another pier.

Cannot see this happening anytime soon now!

Can I get a job in the planning committee! :ok:

But it is still in use particularly the 1st floor offices and crew room.

Anyone remember when the coach drop off area was under cover and the old terminal got its first set of automatic doors.

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2815/photo1ihc.jpg

Old Terminal
 

Yes LTNman I certainly remember with affection the old terminal. Had many happy times out on the left balcony near the flags next to where Virgin had their offices and enjoyed a glass or two with the Station Manager (BF) and his colleagues plus several Luton Airport luminaries including one RM watching the Viscount and the ClubAir B727s going to and fro on the Dublin and Maastricht services.
Also one Smithair check-in (the MoD operation) which happened to back on to an outside wall, always thought that was a bad idea!

Old & New Terminal Buildings / Expansion...
 

Giles,

The points you make are good ones.

However, Luton has always been an airport that has expanded to meet the immediately expected services / pax load - I suppose using the 'just in time' principal.

This is in contrast to 'another' London airport on the Essex flatlands that was built some time ago and which BAA have spent decades trying to fill.

LTN is run as a business and it simply makes good business sense to spend only the money you need to at the time... No bottomless pits of cash at Luton - and despite what some people seem to believe about the Abertis / ACDL takeover (and their perceived wealth), I suspect this will always be the case.

Simples...

Fast Eddie

remember the club air 707 - otherwise known as the "roach coach" for obvious reasons - happy days

The remains of the old terminals shopping mall, which wasn’t lost when the baggage hall was extended is still there complete with abandoned shops. This location is now used to store the old luggage trolleys. Last week this quite large area was split in two as a new dividing wall was erected. There was talk sometime ago of converting the space into offices. Don’t know whether this is what is happening or a completely new project is underway.

New Budget Airline Launched
 

The Spoof : New Budget Airline Launched funny satire story

Very funny!:p

Summer 2009
 

Although passenger numbers are almost certain to be down on 2008, this year will produce a wider range of scheduled service airlines than ever before.
EasyJet is by far the largest, serving 35 destinations with their 16 based aircraft, plus numerous rotations with out-based A319s. Next, in terms of destinations is Ryanair, serving 20 destinations with 4 based aircraft. Then comes Wizzair, 16 destinations, no based aircraft but more flights and more capacity. Monarch serve 9 this year, having dropped Gran Canaria and Almeria. Sky Europe operate to 4 locations, FlyBe and Aer Arran two each. Airlines serving one destination are Transavia, Blue Air, El Al and Windjet.

84 different destinations - similar to 2008, but a bit more interesting to our spotter friends.

SilverJet
 

Did SilverJet lounge / aircraft purchasers BWAA ever get started?

Summer 2009
 

LGS
I think you may have forgotten Thomson!

i notice that wizz air have dropped lviv from the end of this week

anyone know if this was down to low load factors or problems getting a license for the route from luton?

also catania and palermo are now appearing in windjets drop down window from luton, but they are via forli

K Secker -

As far as I know, the Thomson flights are not scheduled services. I know they sell seats only, and that there is a diminishing distinction between scheduled and charter, but they don't appear in the OAG or in the major booking engines. I think their only unique destination from Luton is Sharm El Sheik.

I think the plans are all still there, and there is a bit of movement in the ex Silverjet lounge. Instead of the 'Silver Lounge', the Silver has now been removed to be left with just 'Lounge'.

I believe BWAA have aqquired the site as if you look on their website, it has the address of London Lounge, Airport Way, Luton.

3 destinations sort of confirmed are Accra, Abuja and Dubai.

www.fly-bwaa.com

Still no sign of any official word though!

Luton Drop Off Zone
 

Heard from a good source that the proposed date of the 29th April (today) for the barrier to go down in the drop off zone is not going to be met.There are meetings being held by senior management to reverse the entry/exit to prevent the figure of 8 fiasco that is happening at the moment.The private coach/minibus stops will move to the other side of the drop off zone next to the shelter.It will still be £1 for 10mins drop off/pick up.There will be CCTV(ANPR) that record passengers number plates as they enter/exit the zone. Anyone staying longer than the allowed 10mins will be sent a fine in the post.Delay in the barriers going down is expected to be up to 2 weeks!!

Well let's hope so. It was obvious to everyone, with a brain bigger than a pea, that the current set up is madness. A simple reversal of the entry/exit system, as suggested on this thread many times, would improve traffic flow in the CTA considerably.

As for the £1 drop-ff charge, Ugh!. Is there any other airport in Europe(or indeed the world) that inflicts such a charge on their pax?