Luton Airport’s £100 million upgrade will start next year. Final planning consent for the project was granted in July, clearing the way for a development programme that will increase annual passenger capacity from 12 to 18 million by 2031.

The scheme includes a modernised terminal building, a parallel taxiway able to accommodate six million passengers every year and a new multistorey car park in a process that will eventually create more than 5,000 new jobs.

"Our exciting redevelopment plan, together with the support of our owners and our airline and business partners, means we are on track to deliver a local airport of which Luton and the region can be proud." says Clive Condie, executive chairman of London Luton Airport Operations Limited.