[arista]

[Luton Airport Expansion approved by Government]


[London Luton Airport hopes to almost
double annual passenger numbers to
32 million by 2043 after the
government approved expansion plans.
It came despite the Planning Inspectorate
recommending Transport Secretary
Heidi Alexander rejected them over
environmental concerns.
Luton Rising, the airport's owners,
said the decision could bring
"significant economic,
employment and social benefits for our town".

However, environmental campaigners
said "with climate change worsening,
the last thing any of us need is 70,000
more aircraft a year".

Luton was the UK's fifth busiest airport
last year, with 16.9 million people travelling
on 132,000 flights.

The expansion plans involve building
a new terminal, new taxiways and
increasing capacity in the
existing terminal, from its current
18 million passengers a year.]


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4vg2d9v7no