Luton Airport has withdrawn its controversial plan for a full length replacement runway and brand new terminal.
Numerous protests have been staged against the proposed extensions, which according to campaign body SLAP (Stop Luton Airport Plan) would cause long-term environmental damage and increase noise pollution.
A spokesperson for Luton told ABTN that ”finances were the primary reason” for the airport”s decision, as the plans ”would not have met with its strict policy for return on investment.”
The original scheme, submitted in October 2005, would have meant a considerable extension to the airport site as the replacement runway was designed to sit 950m south of the existing location.
Instead Luton intends to invest in developing the airport within its current boundary, although the spokesperson refused to elaborate further. ”It would be inappropriate to speculate as the plans are still being formalised,” he said.
However, he did confirm that at present there are no plans to introduce a rail link between the airport and Luton Parkway train station, as Luton feels ”its [free] regular bus services meet the needs of its customers,” although transport connections to the airport are thought to form part of the discussions for future investment.
An announcement will be made later in the year detailing Luton”s development proposals for the period up to 2015.
Luton, which last year saw passenger figures rise to nine million, has become London”s major airport for executive aircraft, with more than 50 bizjets on the apron/s at any given time. It is, however, a long way behind competitor Stansted with traffic reaching almost 24m in 2006.