Maybe the most well-known landmark in all of Luton is the London Luton Airport, presently the fourth largest airport in London behind Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.
Previously identified as Luton International Airport, the London Luton Airport is the sixth busiest airport in the United Kingdom in terms of passenger targeted traffic. It is also the UK’s quickest expanding airport, with the total quantity of passengers rising by 21.5% in 2005.
Based on the latest accessible figures, total annual passengers at the London Luton Airport have been pegged at 9.41 million passengers in 2006, compared to 9.13 million passengers in 2005 and 7.52 million in 2004.
Facilities
The airport’s single runway stretches to two,160 metres lengthy. An Instrument Landing Technique supports all operations and permits the airport to operate even below poor visibility situations.
The terminal boasts of a wide array of bars, restaurants and shops as effectively as 60 verify-in desks, baggage and flight details systems. Its very first floor has a floor area of 9000 sq ft and characteristics a spectacular vaulted ceiling.
Among the airlines that operate domestic and international solutions to and from London Luton Airport are Aer Arann, easyJet, Monarch Airlines, Ryanair, Silverjet, flyThomasCook.com, Thomsonfly, Wizz Air and XL Airways.
History
The London Luton Airport traces its history back to July 1938 when it 1st started operations as a base for the Royal Air Force during Globe War II. When the war concluded, handle of the airport was transferred to the nearby council, which then paved the way for industrial operations.
The year 1972 was a banner year as the London Luton Airport earned the distinction of getting the most lucrative airport in the United Kingdom. The subsequent 15 years saw a series of main redevelopments, culminating with the inauguration of a new international terminal in 1985.
In 1990, the airport officially adopted the name London Luton Airport in order to improve its organization with London-bound foreign visitors.
The airport changed hands in 1997 when a consortium recognized as London Luton Airport Operations Restricted and headed by Barclays Bank sealed a 30 year management contract for the airport with the neighborhood council. In 1998, a extended-term development plan was started at the airport which would in the end price £80 million.
In 1997, the local council entered into a 30-year management contract for the airport with Barclays Bank, which headed the consortium and would later sell to TBI plc. The new aluminium and glass terminal, nicknamed “The Tinshed” and costing £40 million, would begin operations.
The airport would when again alter ownership in January 2005 when Airport Concessions Development Limited acquired London Luton Airport Operations Restricted.
Air Targeted traffic
In the past, charter passenger solutions comprised the bulk of all main targeted traffic by way of London Luton Airport, effortlessly dwarfing scheduled passenger services. Right now, even so, the activity of scheduled passenger solutions has grown tremendously. While its charter flights are nonetheless at a significant quantity, the airport has turn out to be a key hub for a number of low-price carriers which have scheduled services to several portion of Europe.
Moreover, the activity of enterprise jets in the airport has also risen, as reflected by the presence of the executive aviation base of Harrods Aviation, which is connected to the group behind London’s Harrods department shop. The base is utilized mainly by cargo airlines.
Silverjet
Shortly after the Silverjet airline began operations in 2004, revealed its program to operate a private terminal facility that will use London Luton Airport as its base. The airline now has daily from the London Luton Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport in New York.
The Silverjet terminal is capable of handling over one hundred passengers. They have a meet and greet service that has earned high praise from passengers. Here, a concierge meets the passengers upon their arrival, takes their baggage, escorts the passengers by means of security and brings them to the lounge exactly where they can relax, shop or surf the Web while waiting for the departure of their plane. Just before boarding, a staff members goes to every consumer to verify their passport and tickets. The whole procedure takes only about 30 minutes but has created heaps of goodwill for the firm.
The Silverjet terminal is situated at the old Primary Terminal and makes use of the old Departure Lounge Region. Each facilities have been entirely refurbished by Silverjet.