Passenger numbers at London Luton rise sharply as the airport adds 6 new routes

London Luton Airport has recorded a 27.7 percent growth in passenger traffic during February 2016 compared to the same period last year.

London Luton Airport (LLA) recorded its twenty-third consecutive month of passenger traffic growth during February 2016. In total 870,000 passengers travelled through the airport during the month, a 27.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

870,000 passengers travelled through London Luton Airport during February

According to the airport, growth has been driven by the popularity of European city breaks. The number of travellers flying to Copenhagen more than doubled in comparison with the same month last year, while over 50 percent more passengers flew to Rome and a third more travelled to Zurich.

LLA has also announced the introduction of six new routes this month which will fuel passenger number growth further:

• Vueling will launch its first services from LLA to Amsterdam and Barcelona
• Wizz Air will introduce routes to two new destinations in Lithuania: Kaunas and Palanga
• easyJet will now offer flights between LLA and Jersey
• Blue Air will begin operating four flights a week to Turin, Italy

Six further new routes have already been confirmed for the summer schedule, including two with new airline partners, Transavia who begin flights to Paris Orly and Adria Airways who will serve Pristina in Kosovo.

In order to meet demand, LLA is currently undergoing a £110m development project to increase annual capacity by 50 percent from 12 to 18 million passengers by 2020. Once complete the project will provide a redesigned terminal facility, new shopping and dining options, expanded security search, baggage reclaim and immigration facilities. Work will also see upgrades to transport links.

Nick Barton, CEO of LLA, said: “LLA is continuing to grow at an astounding pace. The airport’s great range of destinations, with frequent flights that serve both business and leisure passengers, is central to our appeal.”

“Creating strong public transport connections is key in allowing us to meet the need for capacity expansion. That’s why we are delighted that Luton Borough Council has this week supported our vision to increase the number of fast trains serving the airport to four per hour, in line with the service levels enjoyed by other London airports.

“With a journey time of just 20 minutes between London St Pancras and Luton Airport Parkway, four fast trains an hour will more than double the number of passengers travelling to the airport by public transport.”