The long-awaited expansion of Luton Airport will take flight after the council signed off final details on the plan.
The £100m development will take the airport’s annual passenger capacity from 12 million to 18 million by 2031 and is forecasted to create 5,000 jobs in and around the town.
Following a drawn out planning process the expansion was agreed this week, after affordable housing fees (section 106) were agreed.
The biggest change will be a vast expansion of the airport terminal, which will be remodelled and modernised.
Once complete it will be equipped with a new two storey pier, 15 immigration passenger screening lanes, up to eight international and one domestic passenger reclaim belts, increased retail, catering, circulation and seating areas and up to 20 security passenger screening lanes.
A number of changes will also be made around the terminal.
A new parallel taxiway will be built to increase the capacity of the existing runway for an additional six million passengers a year.
The road from the Holiday Inn Roundabout will be dueled and a newly configured road system will be put in place to the front of the terminal area.
A new multi-storey car park will also be built.
The project has commenced with the launch of a procurement process for contractors to deliver the substantial works involved.
Clive Condie, airport executive chairman, said: “This marks the start of an exciting new journey for London Luton, as we begin the process of transforming the Airport to deliver a great experience for our customers, Luton and the surrounding regions.
“Our vision is for a vastly improved Airport which plays a major role in providing more capacity in the London system.”
Sophie Dekkers, easyJet commercial director, added: “We welcome the news that final planning consent has been granted.
“Delivering these development plans will not only enable London Luton to meet its full potential, with easyJet offering an even greater range of business and leisure destinations, but also drive economic growth and provide more jobs for Luton and the surrounding region.”