Easyjet calls for Luton expansion
Luton Airport could have two new runways
Airline Easyjet has called on the government to consider expanding regional airports like Luton when it considers transport policy for the South East.
The Luton-based firm’s comments come after it recorded a net loss of about £46m during the half-year to the end of March.
Easyjet spokesman Toby Nichol says it was not necessary to expand Heathrow or Gatwick when there is spare capacity at Luton.
“A few years ago no-one was flying to Europe from Luton in the way we do now.
“We would like to see a much greater development of smaller, regional airports.
Concern from campaigners
“Over time that could reduce the role of Heathrow.”
In December, ambitious plans were unveiled for two new runways at Luton airport.
But the plans were attacked by campaigners concerned at the loss of green field land.
If the plans were approved the airport, which handles about six million passengers a year, could see this figure rise to 85
By: T5 - 12th May 2003 at 23:13
But to what extent is Heathrow going to be expanded? 5 terminals and possibly more to come. A sixth terminal was talked about some months ago, without terminal 5 having even been started on.
Airports such as John F Kennedy for example, have 7 terminals (?), but these are nowhere near as big as those found at Heathrow – I think Heathrow has been expanded to it’s fullest potential and that further expansion is not going to have much of an effect.
London Gatwick has two terminals and limited flights. Perhaps another terminal here instead of at Heathrow could attract some airlines which currently fly into LHR only? This gives travellers much more choice as to where they can fly.
By: mongu - 12th May 2003 at 23:06
You need at least 1 big airport to gain critical mass in the market for connecting passengers. Also LHR’s attraction of offering flights anywhere, with any airline, does have benefits for London.
It’s entirely sensible to expand LGW, LTN and STN as they all have good potential, but not at the expense of LHR.
By: T5 - 12th May 2003 at 23:01
This is a good plan. It’s certainly better, in my opinion, to expand airports which are flying international routes, but those which are still relatively small when compared to Heathrow and Gatwick for example.
We’re seeing Terminal 5 being contructed at Heathrow, why not have an extra terminal at Luton and have several medium sized airports opposed to one ridiculously big one and several small ones?
By: dan330 - 12th May 2003 at 22:18
Easyjet spokesman Toby Nichol says it was not necessary to expand Heathrow or Gatwick when there is spare capacity at Luton.
Ha ha, can you imagine BA (or any other airline that doesn’t fly out of LTN) seeing it that way!
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May 12, 2003 at 5:52 pm