London Luton Airport has today (April 15) unveiled its plans to construct a £200m (US$280m) state-of-the-art mass passenger transit (MPT) system linking the main terminal building with Luton Airport Parkway railway station.
The MPT system will be a fully automated, 24-hour, guided light rail people mover constructed using the latest technologies and design innovations. When complete it will enable passengers to journey between London St Pancras and the airport terminal in less than 30 minutes.
The airport has appointed engineering firm Arup to design and procure the scheme, and it is anticipated that a planning application will be made in the early autumn. Work could then begin in 2017 with the system ready for operation by the end of 2020.
Andy Malcolm, chair of London Luton Airport Limited (LLAL), the airport owner, said, “I am delighted to confirm that the board has committed to start the procurement process to provide fast, easy access between Luton Airport Parkway and the airport terminal.
“The scheme we are announcing today will provide a seamless five-minute transfer time between Parkway station and the airport terminal.
“A total journey time of less than 30 minutes from St Pancras to the airport will beat the time from Liverpool Street to London Stansted Airport by 20 minutes and better the time from Victoria to London Gatwick, too.
“Combined with the prospect of four fast trains an hour which we are lobbying for, this investment in mass passenger transit will transform the experience of those traveling to the airport by rail, and will encourage more people to do so and therefore help to reduce congestion on the roads.”
Neil Slaven, commercial manager of EasyJet, said, “The redevelopment of the airport was a key factor in our commitment to double our passenger numbers over the next 10 years. We have ambitious plans for growth which will result in an even greater range of business and leisure destinations for our passengers and today’s announcement is a really positive step toward helping us to realize those ambitions.”