Jazmin Li
London Luton Airport (IATA: LTN, ICAO: EGGW) is an international airport located in Luton, England, just 35 miles (56km) northwest of central London. It is one of London's six international airports and is the fourth-busiest airport serving London. The airport primarily serves low-cost airlines and flights to Europe, with over 145 destinations to choose from.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 1.7 miles (2.7 km) east of Luton town centre, Bedfordshire |
| Distance from London | 35 miles (56 km) north-west of central London |
| Ranking | Fourth-largest airport serving London |
| Number of Terminals | 1 |
| Number of Runways | 1 |
| Length of Runway | 2,160 m (7,087 ft) or 2,162 m |
| Number of Destinations | Over 145 |
| Number of Passengers | 16.5 million (2018) |
| Airlines | EasyJet, TUI Airways, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Monarch Airlines, Debonair, Airtours, MyTravel Group |
| Transport to London | Rail (Luton DART, Thameslink), Coach (National Express), Taxi |
| Transport Time to London | 32 minutes by rail, 1 hour by coach |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
London Luton Airport's history
London Luton Airport (IATA: LTN, ICAO: EGGW) is an international airport located in Luton, England, situated 1.7 miles (2.7 km) east of the town centre. It is the fourth-busiest airport serving London and the fifth busiest in the UK, with over 16.5 million passengers passing through in 2018. The airport is owned by London Luton Airport Limited, a company wholly owned by Luton Borough Council, and operated by London Luton Airport Operations Limited (LLAOL).
Luton Municipal Airport first opened on 16 July 1938, and was opened by the then Secretary of State for Air, Kingsley Wood. During the Second World War, the airport was used by the Royal Air Force, operating predominantly de Havilland Mosquitos and jet-powered Gloster Meteor fighter aircraft. Following the end of the war, the airport was returned to the local council, and commercial activity resumed in 1952, with a new control tower being opened around this time. During the 1960s, demand for package holidays boomed in the UK, and Luton Airport enjoyed a prime location to capitalise on this. By 1969, around a fifth of all holiday flights from the UK departed from Luton Airport, and by 1972, it was the most profitable airport in the country.
However, Luton suffered a setback in 1974 when major package holiday operator Clarksons and its in-house airline Court Line ceased operations. Despite this, an expansion plan was initiated in 1978 to accommodate up to 5 million passengers per year. During the 1980s, the airport experienced a decline in customer numbers due to a lack of investment and the rise of nearby London Stansted Airport. In response, the council funded the development of a new international terminal building, which opened in 1985.
In 1990, the airport was renamed London Luton Airport to emphasise its proximity to the capital. The arrival of new operators during the 1990s, such as MyTravel Group and low-cost scheduled flights from Debonair and EasyJet, contributed to a rapid increase in passenger numbers. To fund an £80 million extension, a 30-year concession contract was issued to a public-private partnership consortium, London Luton Airport Operations Limited, in 1997. A new £40 million terminal was opened in 1999 by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Today, London Luton Airport continues to be a major base for low-cost airlines, with easyJet, TUI Airways, Ryanair, and Wizz Air all using the airport as a base. The airport is accessible from central London via fast rail services, with journey times from 32 minutes.
Ridesharing at DCA: Is Uber Allowed?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![London City International Airport [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513PmbrklyL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Transport to and from the airport
London Luton Airport (LTN) is located 1.7 miles east of Luton's town centre and 56km (35 miles) northwest of Central London. It is one of London's six international airports and is the fourth-busiest airport serving London.
London Luton Airport offers a range of transport options for travellers, including:
- Rail services: The airport is connected to Central London via fast rail services, with journey times as quick as 32 minutes. The Luton DART, a dedicated rail link, connects the airport to Luton Airport Parkway station in just four minutes. Tickets for this journey cost £4.90 and can be purchased at the airport or with a contactless payment card. From Luton Airport Parkway station, there are frequent trains to Central London, including the Luton Airport Express, which runs to St Pancras International every 30 minutes with a journey time of 23 minutes. Thameslink also operates 24-hour services to various London stations.
- Coach services: National Express and Green Line provide 24-hour coach services to many central London locations. The journey time is approximately one hour. The A1 National Express route runs to Victoria Coach Station, stopping at various stations along the way. The A2 National Express line follows the same route but ends at Paddington. Green Line 757 also operates between London Luton Airport and Victoria Coach Station, with stops at several stations.
- Car services: London Luton Airport offers a range of car hire options and short-term, mid-term, and long-term car parks. The airport provides clear signage for parking, with Terminal Car Park 1 located just beyond the Arrivals exit. The Mid Stay Car Park is about a 10-minute walk to the terminal building, and the Long Stay Car Park is a 10-minute trip on the free 24-hour shuttle bus.
- Taxi services: Licensed taxis are available at London Luton Airport, offering drop-off and pickup services. The Priority Drop Off Zone has a charge of £5.00 for up to 10 minutes, while the Mid Stay Car Park offers free drop-off with a 10-minute walk to the terminal.
Columbus Airport's Policy on Concealed Carry: What You Need Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Airlines that use the airport
London Luton Airport (LTN) is a base for several low-cost airlines, including easyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air. The airport also serves as a base for TUI Airways and previously served as a base for Monarch Airlines until it ceased operations in October 2017.
During the 1990s, the arrival of new operators such as charter operator MyTravel Group and low-cost carriers Debonair and easyJet contributed to a rapid increase in passenger numbers, making Luton the fastest-growing major airport in the UK. The airport's convenient location just outside Luton in Bedfordshire, about 56 km (35 miles) northwest of central London, makes it an attractive option for airlines and passengers alike.
Luton Airport has a diverse range of airlines serving various destinations. While the majority of routes served are within Europe, there are also charter and scheduled flights to destinations in Northern Africa and Asia. The airport offers flights to over 70 destinations in more than 30 countries, providing passengers with a wide range of travel options.
To enhance the airport's appeal, the airport administration has implemented various initiatives. These include attracting new airlines, mainly low-cost carriers, by offering attractive deals and improving service reliability. Additionally, the airport has deployed new technology and worked on enhancing the overall passenger experience. These efforts have been recognised, with the airport winning ACI World's 'Voice of the Customer' initiative, acknowledging their commitment to prioritising customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Luton Airport also offers a range of facilities and services to support the airlines and improve the overall travel experience. These include car hire services, car parking options, shops, restaurants, and a currency exchange. The airport also provides accessible options, such as a free 24/7 shuttle bus to the Car Hire Centre and a dedicated drop-off lane for private coaches.
Airport Extreme: WDS Support and Compatibility
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport's facilities
London Luton Airport (LTN) is an international airport located in Luton, England, just outside the town of Luton in Bedfordshire. It is one of London's six international airports and is the fourth-largest airport serving London after Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. The airport is situated 1.7 miles (2.7 km) east of Luton's town centre and 56km (35 miles) northwest of central London.
London Luton Airport features a single, two-storey passenger terminal and a single runway, 2,162 metres in length. The airport offers flights to over 70 destinations in more than 30 countries, primarily within Europe. The majority of routes served are within Europe, although there are some charter and scheduled routes to destinations in Northern Africa and Asia.
The airport has a range of facilities to accommodate travellers, including car hire options, car parks, shops, restaurants, bars, a currency exchange, and an onward travel centre. The airport's arrivals hall features shops and restaurants, while the departures lounge includes shops, restaurants, bars, a kids' play area, and two lounges.
London Luton Airport also provides easy access to and from the airport via rail, coach, or car. The Luton DART provides a dedicated rail link to Luton Airport Parkway station, located just four minutes from the airport. From there, frequent trains connect to central London, including the Luton Airport Express, which takes 32 minutes to reach St Pancras International. Thameslink also operates 24-hour services to various London stations.
Additionally, National Express and Green Line offer 24-hour coach services to destinations across London, including Victoria Coach Station and Paddington. Licensed taxis are also available at the airport, and car parking options include priority, terminal, mid-stay, and long-stay car parks.
Chicago Airport Food Guide: Best Eateries to Try
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport's expansion plans
London Luton Airport (LTN) is an international airport located in Luton, England, just outside the town of Luton in Bedfordshire. It is one of London's six international airports and is the fourth-largest airport serving London after Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted.
The airport has undergone several expansion plans throughout its history to accommodate increasing passenger numbers and improve its facilities. Here is an overview of some of the significant expansion plans:
The 1990s Expansion
During the 1990s, London Luton Airport experienced rapid growth due to the arrival of new operators, such as charter operators and low-cost airlines. This rapid increase in passenger numbers made it the fastest-growing major airport in the UK. To accommodate this growth, the airport underwent a significant expansion, with £30 million invested in infrastructure and facilities improvements. This included the construction of a new £40 million terminal building, which was opened in 1999 by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The new terminal increased the airport's capacity with 60 check-in desks, improved baggage handling systems, and a range of commercial outlets.
The 2007 Expansion Plans
In 2007, London Luton Airport announced plans to further expand its infrastructure. The proposed expansion included the construction of a second runway and a new terminal building. However, these plans faced opposition from local campaign groups, such as Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (LADACAN) and Stop Luton Airport Plan (SLAP), due to concerns about noise pollution, traffic, and the potential impact on historic sites. As a result, the airport owners decided to scrap the initial expansion plans for financial reasons and due to community pushback.
COVID-19 Response and Recovery
More recently, London Luton Airport has focused on adapting to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport implemented a comprehensive COVID-19 response plan to ensure a safe environment for staff and travellers, boosting consumer confidence. The airport also diversified its offerings and deployed new technologies to enhance the passenger experience. Additionally, the airport continued with essential upgrades, such as the $55 million domestic Terminal upgrade, demonstrating its resilience and commitment to improvement during a difficult period.
Ongoing Improvements
London Luton Airport continues to make improvements to enhance the travel experience and increase operational efficiency. This includes encouraging the use of the airport by low-cost carriers, offering flights to over 145 destinations worldwide. The airport also provides convenient car parking options, including priority parking, terminal car parks, and a free shuttle service to the long-stay car park. Furthermore, London Luton Airport offers fast rail connections to central London, with journey times as quick as 32 minutes, providing efficient and accessible transport links for passengers.
The Emergence of Airports: A Historical Perspective
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
LTN is the International Air Transport Association (IATA) code for London Luton Airport, an international airport located in Luton, England, just outside the town of Luton in Bedfordshire. It is one of London's six international airports.
London Luton Airport is located 56km (35 miles) northwest of central London. You can get there by train, coach, taxi, or car. The Luton DART is a dedicated rail link that takes you from Luton Airport Parkway train station to the airport in just four minutes.
London Luton Airport has a range of facilities, including shops, restaurants, bars, a currency exchange, and an onward travel centre. The airport also offers car rental services and various parking options, including priority, terminal, mid-stay, and long-stay parking.
