Representation by Luton Airport Operations Limited (Luton Airport Operations Limited)
- Date submitted
- 22 June 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
London Luton Airport Operations Limited (“LLAOL”) (Registration Number: 03491213) confirms its support for the Development Consent Order (DCO) application to expand London Luton Airport to 32 million passengers per annum (the "Application") submitted by Luton Rising (the “Applicant”). The Applicant’s plans align with our ambition as the Airport Operator to grow the supply of airport capacity at Luton to help satisfy growth in aviation demand across the London market. The success and growth of London Luton Airport is essential to 'levelling up’ a region that relies on the airport’s success to fund vital public services, and the expansion will also support the UK’s broader economic growth agenda. Since we provided our feedback on the Statutory Consultation in April 2022, we have continued to work closely with the Applicant to assist their development of the DCO scheme that enables growth, in a sustainable way. This has resulted in what we consider to be the most sustainable airport expansion plan ever proposed in the UK. In particular: • Green Controlled Growth (GCG) Framework – This framework ensures that growth at the airport will be conditional on compliance with strict environmental limits, ensuring such growth is sustainable. • Managing growth – Airlines operating at London Luton Airport are ambitious to expand and to bring new jobs and new opportunities to the region. Airlines are currently working with LLAOL to deliver the next generation of quieter aircraft into Luton, which will ensure our noise impacts are sustainably managed in line with the GCG framework. • Terminal capacity build out – Expanding capacity is critical to growing the airport and we are pleased the Applicant has taken on board our ideas and approach to how the existing operational terminal can be expanded. This approach will minimise disruption to the airport and local community (re: construction impact), whilst allowing for more passengers to use the airport. • Acting responsibly – A core tenet of the way we operate the airport is to ensure we continuously review our environmental impacts and implement plans that will reduce our carbon footprint as well as that of our service partners. The DCO builds on this commitment. Our excellent track record for creating a sustainable airport is a matter of public record, where we are committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2026 or sooner and net zero by 2040 for airport operations. The Environmental Scrutiny Group and increased public engagement will provide further opportunity to strengthen the airports’ credentials in this area. • Enhanced Noise Insulation Scheme – as part of the DCO plans we agree that it is vital to reduce the adverse impacts of growth on those most affected, particularly by noise. We are therefore supportive of, and committed to, delivering the proposed Noise Insulation Programme (which has been significantly enhanced versus the current scheme) in conjunction with the Applicant. LLAOL recognises that in seeking approval for the DCO it is important for the Applicant to demonstrate adequate financial resources are in place, both in relation to any land acquisition proposed and the wider implementation of the project. Subject to approval being obtained and subject to suitable commercial arrangements being agreed with the Applicant, LLAOL is committed to the development and growth of the airport. Negotiations are ongoing to reach a suitable commercial agreement with The Applicant, which need to be in place prior to development commencing. Nevertheless, LLAOL may wish to make representations during examination including but not limited to: • Matters concerning airport operations; • Matters concerning the extant Concession Agreement; • Developments to the DCO Drafting and S.106 Agreement; • The extant planning position at the airport. LLAOL recognises the critical position we maintain in running the UK’s fifth largest airport. A successful London Luton Airport creates economic growth, jobs and new opportunities through the local economy that in turn helps to improve the lives of residents in the local area. Expanding the airport in a long-term sustainable way that is underpinned by net zero operations by 2040 and other environmentally driven Limits to growth is innovative and presents an exciting future for the airport. We are therefore supportive of this Application and to working with the Applicant to deliver it post approval, subject to reaching commercial agreement.