Luton has a great track record when it comes to attracting high-quality airlines (transporting people and freight), ground-based infrastructure businesses and multinational aerospace manufacturing firms and their supply chain.

The current expansion of London Luton Airport combined with the new Enterprise Zone will see this sector really take off in Luton over the next few years.

The aviation sector in Luton comprises of three distinct types of activities:

  • London Luton Airport and related ground-based infrastructure
  • airlines
  • aerospace manufacturing businesses

London Luton Airport

London Luton Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in Europe.  In 2018 it welcomed 16.6m passengers flying to more than 140 destinations across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

Easily accessed from London, the airport is ideally located for inward investors and business travellers. Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air and TUI all have bases at the airport. Passengers are offered an extensive choice of scheduled and charter services.

There are also significant aircraft engineering operations, regular cargo flights to major European hubs operated courtesy of major freight carriers. The airport’s proximity to London has further led to a rapid growth in private jet activity in recent years.

The government’s white paper on the future of air transport gives London Luton Airport a prominent place in the provision of air services in the South East of England in the period to 2050.

For more information on the London Luton Airport development click on the button below.

London Luton Airport Development

Key businesses in sector

Companies like to locate where there is already a history of successful investment. Luton has a great track record when it comes to attracting high-quality businesses, with many operating internationally. This includes large multi-national companies who have chosen Luton for their UK or European headquarters, and many are high-profile names.

Was formed in 2002 and is a provider of theoretical knowledge training for student airline pilots. With its headquarters in Luton and partners throughout the world, it is one of the leading organisations in its field.

Was founded in 1995 with its inaugural flight flying from London Luton Airport to Glasgow. In 1996 it flew its first international flights to Amsterdam, Nice and Barcelona. easyJet now flies to over 60 destinations from London Luton Airport and won the Best Low-Cost Airline, Business Traveller awards in 2018.

Design and manufacture ground support maintenance equipment and tooling for the aerospace, aircraft industry and airlines throughout the world. Specialising in tooling and jig making.  Their highly skilled workforce are experienced practitioners of product design, tool making, universal milling, turning, CNC machining, welding, paint spraying, packaging and general engineering. Frank Brown & Son design and manufacture to customer specifications and have secured precision fabrication contracts for (among others) Rolls Royce, British Aerospace and British Airways. The company also designs and manufactures automotive parts for conveying systems, press tools and lifting equipment.

GKN Aerospace – Luton is a world leader in commercial and military ice protection systems and transparencies.

The company offers a full range of capability for design, analysis, testing, certification and manufacture of electro-thermal ice protection, military fast jet canopies and flight deck windows.

The facility at London Luton Airport is the first Gulfstream-owned service centre outside the United States, serving as Gulfstream’s European maintenance hub. The facility features a hangar, offices and warehouse and is staffed by more than 185 employees who serve the highest volume of transient Gulfstream traffic in Europe. The new modern office and hangar facilities compliment a 10,000 sq. ft. parts warehouse which can ship to any location within 24 hours.

Is the leading London-based business aviation service provider which offers high quality fixed based operations at London Luton Airport. The Luton facility accommodates arrivals and departures 24 hours a day. Facilities include a fully-equipped hangar and full aircraft servicing and maintenance work at all levels, from compulsory inspections right up to major repairs.

Leonardo at Luton hosts the Air & Naval Electronic Warfare System, Strategic System, Eurofighter Defence Aids Systems, ISTAR Intelligence, Surveillance and Target Systems. The Luton site is the European Centre of Excellence for Electronic Warfare.

Started as a designer and supplier of aircraft and missile components more than 50 years ago. At its Luton base Moog manufactures a broad range of navigation products for civil, military and marine applications. Products include Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN), Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) and Direction Finding (DF). The company employs a highly-talented workforce and is able to offer customers a broad range of options to meet their unique needs, all backed by world-class customer support.

Fixed based operation at London Luton Airport has been consistently voted the best in Europe by the readers of Professional Pilot magazine. The facility’s one-stop, full-service capacity has ensured that it remains one of the busiest fixed based operations outside of the USA, with more than 13,000 air traffic movements annually. Signature London Luton features dedicated de-icing equipment and personnel for the convenience of its customers.

Contact

Economic Development

01582 547227
economicdevelopment@luton.gov.uk

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