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London Luton Airport Expansion Agreed
3rd April 2025 PRESS RELEASE: granting Luton airport expansion is a dangerous gamble with the climate, says AEF In response to today’s news that Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport, has approved Luton Airport's application to raise its passenger capacity from 19 million to 32 million per year, AEF says that the decision puts the Government’s legally binding climate goals at risk and will bring more noise misery to local communities. The Government’s stance on airport capacity is at odds with the Planning Inspectorate’s recommendation to refuse permission on environmental grounds, and the recommendations of its statutory climate advisers, the CCC. In its Seventh Carbon Budget, published in March, the CCC paints a clear picture for the future direction of air travel: demand for UK air travel will need to stay at around today’s level for the next decade to allow decarbonising technologies to develop and scale. The Climate Change Committee argues that passenger numbers should grow no more than 2% by 2035. Today’s approved expansion represents a sizable proportion of that growth, even before expansion plans at Gatwick and Heathrow are considered. And even by 2050, the level of airport passenger growth considered by the CCC to be compatible with meeting climate goals can be met by the current UK capacity [2]. Instead of adhering to the advice, the Government seems to be sleep-walking into the irresponsible and unjustifiable decision to let UK airports expand beyond what is environmentally safe. The Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), published in 2018, endorsed a 3rd runway at Heathrow, and the Government has invited Heathrow to confirm its plans for expansion by the summer. However, Heidi Alexander has said she is ‘minded to approve’ Gatwick Airport’s expansion but delayed the final decision until October. Given that the Government has indicated that the ANPS will be reviewed in the autumn, potentially answering some of these issues, it begs the question why has Luton been granted the go ahead now? Just this week, the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has launched a cross-party investigation into whether airport expansion is compatible with the UK's environmental goals. This includes looking at the failure to scale sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) to a level that effectively offsets aviation emissions. Tim Johnson, director of AEF says: “There is currently no credible pathway to decarbonise flying in the near-term. Allowing further expansion before we have an answer on how to reduce the sector’s climate impacts is putting the cart before the horse. Any expansion at this time is a huge environmental gamble, with uncertain economic prospects, and exposing many local residents to higher levels of noise and air pollution.” AEF advises that the Government pauses all consideration of airport expansion until the UK aviation industry can prove that it is decarbonising at a rate that makes expansion safe and addresses local noise and pollution concerns. [1] The Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) campaigns on aviation’s impacts for people and the environment, including noise, air pollution and climate change. We represent impacted community groups throughout the UK, and aim to secure effective environmental regulation of the aviation industry at national and international levels aef.org.uk. [2] The CCC believes that passenger numbers should be limited to 402m by 2050, and AEF analysis shows that this passenger growth can be served by current capacity: Buses
Arriva has lost the contract to run the L buses in town from June 2025 |
London Luton Airport
How to complain I must stress that anyone who has been disturbed by low flying aircraft should report the incident to Luton airport. Only in this way is a complaint about aircraft noise registered officially by the airport operating authority. Incidentally, contrary to what many people may think, there is no restriction on night flying to or from Luton Airport. There are enhanced noise restrictions during the night time; the operators of aircraft infringing these restrictions are penalised. These restrictions came into effect from 1st April 2015. How to complain: three ways to do this; 1 By phone (24/7 basis ) 01582 395382. Callers will be asked to give their name, address, phone number & details of the incident. This is a recorded message system. I can vouch that it works. 2 By email to [email protected] 3 By Google. Type "noise luton airport" Then you will be directed to an area of the airport website www.london-luton.co.uk that features an official complaint form for you to complete. You are given 5 types of complaint to identify: Noise Low flying Off track General Other Complete the form, asking for a reply if you wish, then submit. Background: The Leighton Buzzard Society are indirectly represented on the London Luton Airport Consultative Committee (LLACC) through our membership of PAIN, (People Against Intrusive Noise) a long established Aylesbury Vale based group who are officially recognised by the Department of Transport as a consultee body to London Luton Airport. I represent the Society on the PAIN committee & have done so for just over a year. The majority of the PAIN committee are well versed in aviation noise & aircraft tracking matters & we also have the benefit of a private flyer in our ranks. I don't profess to be that knowledgeable in aviation matters but I am alongside others who certainly are. PAIN is also a member of the LLACC's key sub committee for Noise & Tracking matters (NTSC). Both the LLACC & NTSC meet quarterly. For these committees the airport operator produces detailed statistics which include a summary of noise complaints. These are available in the public domain through www.london-lutoninthecommunity.co.uk. They can be found at the tab entitled Airfield Environmental Reports. These comprehensive reports include noise statistics. The website for the LLACC www.llacc.com gives all the minutes & attendees of current & past meetings of the main committee & sub committees. These meetings are open to the public. Central Bedfordshire Council are also represented on this Noise & Tracking subcommittee as well as the main LLACC. Representation from Central Bedfordshire Council comprises a elected councillor & an officer. Officers & representatives from the airport & airlines are there as non voting members . This pattern of representation is replicated for Aylesbury Vale District, Buckinghamshire County, Dacorum Borough, Hertfordshire County, Luton Borough, North Hertfordshire District, St. Albans City & District, & Stevenage Borough. There are other bodies representing town & parish councils, representatives of these being voting members: Bedfordshire Association of Town & Parish Councils, Buckinghamshire Association of Local Councils & Hertfordshire Association of Town & Parish Councils. All UK airports have to have consultative committees & these function along guidelines issued by the Department of Transport. I must stress again that the airport must be contacted to report an incident otherwise there can be no investigation. Please study the various minutes on the Consultative Committee website www.llacc.com & you will see that noise complaints are taken seriously. If you are not satisfied with the response from the airport after reporting an incident you can take the matter further by contacting Central Bedfordshire Council or myself. I will take the matter to PAIN. John Sharp Transport Officer email [email protected] |