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Luton airport has received UK government approval for a major expansion, overriding a recommendation from planning inspectors to reject the project on environmental grounds.
The airport to the north of London had sought planning permission to increase its annual passenger capacity from 18mn to 32mn.
The major expansion does not include a new runway, but would involve the construction of new infrastructure, including a new terminal and taxiways and aircraft stands.
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander will on Thursday announce that she has approved the scheme, which will support 4,200 new jobs, according to officials.
The Planning Inspectorate advised refusing the application because of environmental concerns, including the impact on the “relative tranquillity” of the nearby Chiltern Hills. The expansion will mean planes cross the scenic area every 15 minutes instead of the current 30 minutes.
The Labour government has swung behind airport expansion in bid to boost economic growth, including most controversially a potential third runway at Heathrow, Europe’s biggest airport.
Alexander in March also signalled she would approve a second runway at Gatwick if the airport makes changes to its plans, but delayed a final decision until later this year.
All of London’s major airports currently have plans to boost their passenger numbers. Stansted and City airports have had their proposals approved in recent months.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves earlier this year said airport expansion was compatible with the government’s legally binding net zero 2050 target, pointing to “cleaner and greener flying” through so-called sustainable aviation fuels.
But climate groups have argued that major increases in passenger numbers will be incompatible with the 2050 target.
