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Located 30 miles north of central London, 鈥� a key gateway for millions of passengers each year.听

As demand for air travel grows, London Luton Airport is preparing for its most significant transformation yet. Plans are now underway to nearly double the airport鈥檚 annual capacity to 32 million passengers by 2043, allowing its runway to be used for up to approximately 78,000 more flights per year than in 2024.听听

Beyond meeting this growing demand, the expansion is expected to boost regional economic growth and strengthen the resilience of the UK鈥檚 aviation network.听听

With DCO (Development Consent Order) approval granted in April 2025, the project includes a new terminal, piers and stands, airfield and landside development, and associated infrastructure improvements.听

We have been working with airport owners Luton Rising as Technical Advisor since 2017, providing multidisciplinary expertise throughout the DCO submission and examination phase. As the scheme progresses towards construction, we look forward to continuing to support the ongoing development of this nationally significant project.听

Successfully navigating the DCO process听

In the UK, all projects classed as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) must go through the DCO application process. We鈥檝e supported this project at every stage 鈥� from early optioneering and technical design, to environmental assessment, planning and stakeholder engagement, through to submission.听

Our team played a key role in preparing a robust, evidence-based DCO application and supporting the client through multiple rounds of consultation, legal compliance, and examination hearings. This ensured that the case for expansion was clearly demonstrated, and that environmental impacts were robustly assessed and appropriately mitigated.听

The DCO application was by the Secretary of State for Transport in April 2025.听

Working as one team听

To accommodate the airport鈥檚 additional capacity, the expansion will make best use of the existing runway through the phased construction of additional airside and landside infrastructure. This includes new aircraft stands, taxiways, piers and a passenger terminal to the northeast of the runway, alongside improvements to surface access and utilities.听

Given the scale of the proposed developments, the project demanded effective coordination, as well as the ability to adapt quickly in a high-pressure environment.听

From the outset, we worked as one team 鈥� bringing together specialists from across multiple disciplines including aviation, architecture, planning, environment, ground investigation, stakeholder engagement, consultation and construction. We also worked closely with teams from other consultancies, ensuring strong coordination throughout. This integrated approach meant every element of the DCO application was aligned, evidence-based, and delivered to the highest standard.听

As part of the DCO journey, we supported the evaluation of design options for the new terminal and airfield infrastructure, and delivered detailed assessments covering climate resilience, waste management, acoustics and archaeology. We also carried out strategic transport modelling to assess future network impacts and inform essential infrastructure upgrades.听

Stakeholder engagement was another key component. Our team contributed to multiple rounds of consultation 鈥� including two statutory consultations in 2019 and 2022 鈥� ensuring that community feedback was integrated and that the DCO submission met the rigorous standards required for approval.听听

During the second statutory phase, our digital experts developed a bespoke virtual consultation platform to ensure continued engagement during coronavirus restrictions.听

Balancing London Luton Airport鈥檚 expansion with environmental responsibility听

A defining feature of the project is the introduction of a groundbreaking framework 鈥� believed to be the 鈥�.鈥澨�听

GCG sets limits on key environmental impacts, including noise, carbon emissions, air quality, and surface access. Monitoring will be carried out by London Luton Airport Operations Ltd (LLAOL), with results published for public scrutiny and subject to independent oversight to determine whether further growth can proceed in line with the framework.听

Our environmental specialists worked closely with Luton Rising to shape this innovative framework, helping to ensure that growth can be sustainably managed over time.听

In addition, the scheme includes wider sustainability measures, such as enhanced solar energy generation, rainwater harvesting and improvements to Wigmore Valley Park and other surrounding green spaces.听听

As part of a value engineering exercise during the DCO design process, the scheme layout was revised to significantly reduce the extent of earthworks required. This redesign 鈥� helping to reduce construction impacts and minimise disruption for nearby communities.听

Stimulating economic growth and supporting communities听

Thanks to our longstanding DCO expertise and the excellent collaboration across teams, the project is now consented and ready to move into delivery. As well as meeting future passenger demand, the expansion of London Luton Airport is designed to deliver long-term social and economic benefits.听听

Not only is it but it will also deliver up to an additional 鈥� supporting local communities, charities and wider regeneration efforts across the region.听