London Luton Airport (LTN) has provided an update on its surface access infrastructure projects that will benefit passengers travelling to and from the airport.
This includes progress on dismantling and rebuilding one of its main car parks, as well as establishing a new temporary drop-off zone closer to the Terminal.
This update comes 6 months after one of LTN’s main car parks was destroyed in a fire. In the major reconstruction project, the airport is now completing the final stage of the structure’s dismantling and is removing the remaining vehicles. This will pave the way for construction to start on the new facility later this year.
Over 60 percent of the car park has now been dismantled and 75 percent of the 1,300 vehicles affected have been removed by salvage experts. Clearance of the structure is expected to be completed this May.
Throughout this process, LTN states that a large quantity of material is being recycled. So far, over 790 tonnes of metal from the demolition process has been taken for recycling, while the concrete waste has been crushed and reused as hardcore fill where possible.
“The dismantling of the car park has been a precise and painstaking process, and its proximity to passengers, buildings, aircraft and the Luton DART railway station has added to the project’s complexity. At the same time, we are working hard to deliver a number of passenger enhancements, including a second premium passenger lounge, several new restaurants and a spectacular mezzanine bar and diner. The airport is also on track to complete a £20 million refurbishment of the security hall this summer featuring state-of-the art scanner technology to speed up security processing times, ensuring a simple and friendly passenger experience for everyone passing through the airport.”
The rebuild of the new four-storey car park will start later this year. The replacement car park will accommodate 1,940 vehicles and will feature a ground-level drop-off zone to provide passenger drop-off, collection, and parking options.
In addition to meeting all current fire and safety regulatory requirements, the new car park will incorporate a fire suppressant system to help avoid future incidents.
Once the facility is completed in late 2025, the airport’s short-term car parking capacity will be restored to approximately 4,000 vehicles.
In the meantime, a temporary Drop-Off Zone is being developed closer to the terminal to improve passenger access and convenience during the car park construction. This site is expected to open this summer. In the interim period, a free drop-off and pick-up zone continues to operate from LLA’s Mid-Stay car park.
