Figures connected with Luton Airport have called for a quick decision on whether to approve an expansion of the airport.

The comments were made after a speech by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves earlier this week said that the UK government backed plans for expansion of major airports in the UK.

Reeves had primarily announced that the government had supported plans to expand Heathrow Airport in West London, with the speech in Oxfordshire on Wednesday intended to outline support for infrastructure projects as part of a strategy to improve the UK’s economic growth.

Plans to expand Luton Airport had been submitted in 2023 during the previous Conservative government’s tenure, but a final decision on whether to approve expansion has been deferred three times by both the Conservative government and the Labour government that took charge last July.

The most recent announcement came in mid-December, where the government announced they would be pushing a final decision to April 3rd 2025 while the project is reviewed by recently appointed Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander. A decision had previously been expected in January.

Luton Airport’s proposals would involve expanding capacity so the airport would grow from an overall capacity of 19 million to 32 million passengers over the next two decades. The expansion project would include the construction of a second terminal and additional supporting infrastructure.

In statements, figures involved with the airport called for a quick decision to approve the expansion project.

Alberto Martin, Chief Executive Officer, London Luton Airport said, “We welcome the Chancellor’s growth speech today and now call on the Secretary of State for Transport to formalise the government’s approval of Luton’s expansion plans. Today, every £1 spent by passengers at the airport, allows the local authority to invest 53p directly into local community causes – 20 times more than any other UK airport.

“Luton is now at a tipping point with a generational opportunity to boost investment in public services further, which the airport’s growth will deliver. We are now focused on finalising our longer-term partnership with the council to make this expansion, the government’s growth policy, and Luton’s local ambition for sustainable economic growth a reality.”

Paul Kehoe CBE, the Independent Chair of the Luton-focused development company Luton Rising, said, “We welcome comments made by the Chancellor in her important speech on Wednesday, recognising the role of airports in delivering growth of the national economy. Our proposals can be supported by any government making economic growth its priority.

“Here at London Luton Airport we have a ready-to-go scheme that is primed to deliver an economic air-bridge for the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor and contribute to the success of the country.”