Luton airport gears up for boosted passenger numbers as it unveils £160m upgraded terminal

Luton airport has unveiled its upgraded terminal after its three-year £160m redevelopment.

The redevelopment has been the biggest in the airport’s 80-year history and has seen the terminal expanded to increase capacity in London and the south east, a task levelled to airports by the government.

The new terminal features 30 new new high street and high-end stores including Hugo Boss, Chanel and Oliver Bonas, as well as 1,000 more seats and free wifi.

It also contains a new dual carriageway, bus interchange and multi-storey car park.

The redevelopment will allow the airport to increase its annual capacity by 50 per cent to 18m passengers by 2020. Passenger numbers have already increased by 35 per cent since work began in 2015, making Luton London's fastest growing airport.

The airport expects 16.5m passengers to fly by the end of 2018, an increase of 5 per cent in 2017, and around eight years ahead of expectations, according to Luton chief executive Nick Barton.

On opening up the revamped airport terminal, Chris Grayling said: “London Luton’s investment firmly puts passengers at the heart of development and will improve the experience of those using the airport for business or holidays.

“Supporting thriving airports like London Luton will form a part of the government’s aviation 2050 consultation, ensuring the benefits of transformation are felt across the local area.”

EasyJet boss Johan Lundgren added: “As the largest airline operating to and from London Luton Airport, we are excited that the airport’s transformation will benefit the 7m EasyJet customers who use the airport every year. This transformation project was a key factor in our commitment to long term growth at the airport, so it’s great to see its completion.”