Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander Grants Green Light for Airport Growth to Handle 32 Million Passengers Annually

The UK government has given the go-ahead for Luton Airport’s expansion, overturning a decision by planning inspectors who had opposed the project on environmental grounds.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has approved the development consent order, allowing the airport to expand its perimeter, build a second terminal, and potentially accommodate 32 million passengers per year.

Despite concerns regarding the impact on ancient woodlands and the Chilterns, a designated area of outstanding natural beauty, government officials highlighted the economic benefits of the expansion. Labour sources argue that the creation of thousands of new jobs justifies the decision.

Luton Airport is owned by the local council, ensuring that a share of its profits supports public services. The expansion includes a legally binding “green controlled-growth mechanism” aimed at regulating noise, emissions, and public transport access.

A government spokesperson stated: “The Transport Secretary’s approval reinforces our commitment to economic growth. This decision, reversing the Planning Inspectorate’s recommendation, will bring thousands of jobs and financial benefits to Luton and the broader UK economy.”

Luton Airport, which served approximately 16.7 million passengers last year, is London’s fourth-largest airport and a major hub for budget airlines. The expansion aligns with Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ vision for economic growth in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor.

The approval follows the recent closure of Vauxhall’s van factory in Luton by Stellantis, which put over 1,000 jobs at risk. Airport officials claim significant local support for the project, though critics cite environmental damage and noise pollution.

Paul Kehoe, chairman of Luton Rising, the council’s airport-owning entity, stated: “Our plans will generate up to 11,000 new jobs, contribute £1.5bn in annual economic activity, and provide up to £13m yearly for local initiatives.”

The expansion will see upgrades to the existing terminal, construction of a second terminal, and the extension of the Dart rail link to the new facility. Additional aircraft taxiways and parking areas will also be built.

However, environmental campaigners argue that the project prioritises commercial interests over sustainability. Alex Chapman of the New Economics Foundation warned that the expansion would encourage more outbound tourism, reducing local spending in the UK.

David Oakley-Hill, from Luton Friends of the Earth, criticised the approval, stating that increased flights and traffic would exacerbate pollution, endanger public health, and lead to the destruction of Wigmore Park, a key buffer zone between the airport and residential areas.