The agreement, which will see the creation of 2,500 new jobs at the airport and in the surrounding region, is expected to open up new business and leisure routes as well as adding additional frequency on easyJet’s existing 39 routes from London Luton.
It will bring immediate growth to the airport, with plans to grow the airline’s capacity by around 20% over the next year.
London Luton’s managing director Glyn Jones said: “easyJet is our largest airline partner, accounting for 45% of all passengers using the airport. We see this as a real vote of confidence in London Luton Airport and its future, underlining the determination of our new owners, Ardian and Aena, to develop and radically improve London Luton and deliver a better airport experience for our passengers in the years to come.
“The creation of new jobs, the opening up of new routes and the increased frequency of flights to popular destinations is great news for the entire local region. London Luton Airport is of central importance to thousands of people across the Three Counties and London. We are delighted that this exciting new deal with easyJet will mean more choice for our passengers and greater access to new and existing markets for our local businesses.”
easyJet chief executive Carolyn McCall said: “This is a substantial long-term deal with London Luton Airport – our first base and the airline’s home – which will enable us to double our size at London Luton in the next decade and add an even greater range of business and leisure destinations.
“We are looking forward to working with the airport and the new concession owners Ardian and Aena. Their financial investment and long-term commitment to developing London Luton were a key factor in our agreeing to this new deal and will help us deliver our plans.”
Extra jobs, and benefits to passengers, have to be balanced by effective actions to reverse the increasing noise trend at Luton Airport, says campaign group Hertfordshire Against Luton Expansion.
Spokesman Andrew Lambourne said: “Noise is a form of pollution and businesses which create noise need to invest in mitigation for its effects as well as being prepared to constrain the hours during which noise is made.
“Before adding yet more flights, we’d like to hear easyJet commit to a clear timetable for introduction of quieter airframes and engines at Luton Airport, particularly since we already know they plan to switch from Airbus A319s to the larger, heavier and currently noisier A320s in any case.
