Statement of Intent - December 2004

Introduction:

In December 2003, Government published its long-awaited White

Paper The Future of Air Transport, which finally provided the aviation
industry and UK plc with a clear, national, strategic framework for the
development of air travel over the next 30 years.
The White Paper clearly outlined the crucial role London Luton can play
in the delivery of future runway capacity in the South East.
Government has challenged all airport operators to deliver the policies
enshrined in this document - we relish this opportunity.
Government forecasts suggest that there is the demand to justify
expansion of Luton to the potential of a full-length single runway (circa
30mppa), in the period up to 2030, even with two new runways at
other South East airports. We endorse this forecast and since
publication of the White Paper we have actively commenced
preliminary consultation with key stakeholders and strategic decision-
makers, at national, regional and local level, with a view to developing
common strategic principles and priorities, and communicating the
importance of London Luton in delivering Government policy, as
defined in the Future of Aviation White Paper, the Transport Bill and the
Communities Plan.
To this end, 2004 has been a very productive year. London Luton has
been highlighted as a strategic priority in the East of England
Development Agency's Regional Economic Strategy and Corporate
Plan, by the East of England Regional Assembly in the draft Regional
Spatial Strategy (RSS14) and the Milton Keynes and South Midlands
Sub-Regional Strategy.
We have maintained continued dialogue with the Highways Agency
and Strategic Rail Authority to ensure that London Luton development
plans are fully integrated with current infrastructure projects (e.g. M1
widening) and future strategic programming, and with public transport
providers to ensure service provision meets our passenger and
employee needs today and in the future. Our working relationship with
National Air Traffic Services and the Civil Aviation Authority has been
developed to ensure Government forecasts are robust and airspace
capacity and safety issues are carefully considered, as recently
illustrated in the Western Airspace consultation.
Local Level:

At a local level, we have engaged with our neighbouring highway and

planning authorities to appreciate their concerns and attempt to
develop a common strategic understanding which will deliver
Government policy and objectives. In recognition of London Luton's
growing strategic importance, Bedfordshire County Council recently
conditionally approved expansion beyond 10mppa, currently referred
to in the Structure Plan.
Furthermore, we continue to cooperate with organisations focussed on
developing business in the region, including Chamber Business, the
Oxford to Cambridge Arc and other economic development bodies, to
ensure that the inward investment, direct, indirect and catalytic
employment opportunities associated with a growing airport are
maximised.
Finally, we have engaged with our customers and the wider
community. Through workshops, informal consultations, focus groups,
day-to-day feedback and regular meetings with the London Luton
Airport Consultative Committee. We are now well-placed to develop a
facility commensurate with the needs of our passengers, airlines and
other business partners, whilst recognising the concerns of the local
community. Indeed, using this information we have begun the first
stage of this development during 2004, including a major terminal
redevelopment project.
Our intention is to deliver the challenge laid down by Government in
its White Paper, and today, notwithstanding the outcome of the Judicial
Review currently being heard, we have formally launched Project 2030
as the vehicle to deliver major growth at London Luton. Project 2030
will deliver a full Master Plan by end 2005, as outlined in recent
Government guidance, and oversee the timely delivery of the
necessary infrastructure thereafter.
'Project 2030' - London Luton's Master Plan
We intend, subject to market conditions, to bring forward major
development proposals pre-2015. With this in mind, we intend to
publish a 'fuller treatment' of development plans, as required in
Guidance on the Preparation of Airport Master Plans. However, our
experience as a 'no-frills' airport operators clearly tells us this Master
Plan must be flexible and responsive to the market, reflecting the
dynamic nature of the airports sector.

Scope & Content:

The Project 2030 process will be transparent and inclusive, with key
stakeholder involvement throughout. To this end, we have formed a
Steering Group to assist us in determining content and provide
strategic guidance. This Group brings together those partners we have
maintained continued dialogue with since publication of the White
Paper. The Steering Group will oversee detailed analysis in a number of
key areas:
Optioneering - we will need to adopt a measured and balanced
analysis of alternative runway options 'based broadly on the current
alignment'.
Environment - we will endeavour to ensure that the environmental
impacts of developing London Luton to the maximum use of a single
full-length runway are accurately measured and appropriate mitigation
measures are considered.
Economic/Social - We must ensure that the wider economic potential of
the airport is fully understood and realised. The airport is located in an
area identified in Regional Planning Guidance as a Priority Area for
Economic Regeneration, and in the Milton Keynes South Midlands
Growth Area (ODPM Sustainable Communities Plan) as a key growth
area. The airport is a key catalyst for employment and housing growth
in Luton, Dunstable and Houghton Regis and the wider Region.
Surface Access - we must ensure that the relationship between airport-
generated traffic and wider transport demand is understood, and that
appropriate measures are brought forward to deliver our Airport
Surface Access Strategy.
Operational/Engineering - We will undertake detailed operational
evaluations in conjunction with NATS and the CAA, to ensure Luton
options safely interface with the wider South East airspace. The
optioneering process will be greatly influenced by operational issues
Land Use/Planning - We must ensure that the Master Plan informs the
local and regional planning process, and agree the appropriate status
of this document in conjunction with our partners.
Landtake/Safeguarding/Airport Infrastructure - we will endeavour to
provide details of the physical infrastructure required, and subsequent
landtake, to deliver our preferred option.

Timetable:
In conjunction with our partners, we will deliver a full Master Plan by
end 2005.

Consultation:
We will consult with key stakeholders on the specific content of the full
Master Plan, and embark upon detailed consultation at such time as
the project is taken through the planning process.
We will work closely with all our partners to publish a Master Plan
which demonstrates London Luton's contribution to Government
aviation policy, whilst embracing 'a plan, monitor, manage' approach.
Our plans will drive urban regeneration and renaissance in the sub-
regional, in an environmentally sensitive manner.
Paul Kehoe
Managing Director