Amazing May as 1.4 million passengers choose LLA

London Luton Airport (LLA) has recorded an 8.1% increase in passenger numbers in May compared to the same month last year with more than 1.4 million passengers choosing to travel through the airport last month.

Having enjoyed over three years of continuous growth, LLA is currently making its biggest ever investment to meet soaring passenger demand and grow the airport’s annual capacity by 50% to 18 million by 2020.

The redevelopment includes a focus on improving the passenger experience, including a doubling the current retail space to accommodate 43 exciting new shops and restaurants. New brands to join the airport include Bella Italia, Auntie Anne’s pretzels and Krispy Kreme. Ethical and healthy fast food chain Friska is due to open this month, closely followed by The Smithfield, a 7,000m² pub and restaurant.

LLA is also focusing on making travel to the airport easier and quicker. Despite being one of the fastest-growing UK airports, LLA remains the only London airport without a direct express-style rail service. The airport is calling for timetable changes which will introduce four fast trains per hour from central London as part of the upcoming East Midlands rail refranchising process.

Nick Barton, CEO of LLA, said: “It’s fantastic to see another month of outstanding growth at LLA. Our investment is enabling us to offer not only a more relaxing and enjoyable airport experience, but also an ever-widening variety of destinations. Whether you’re a business passenger or flying away for a leisure break, LLA can offer options for all budgets, and we’re making the airport easier to reach than ever as we improve road links and public transport access.”