UK holiday airline Jet2 will fly from Luton airport from summer 2025 to compete head-to-head with easyJet, TUI, Wizz Air and Ryanair.

The low-cost carrier will serve 17 destinations across Europe, the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean in response to growing demand from customers and travel agents across the region.

Jet2 and its sister company Jet2holidays will operate up to 36 weekly flights on two brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft from Luton, with its first service set to depart for Majorca on 1 April 2025.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 and Jet2holidays, said: “We are very excited to announce London Luton Airport as our 13th UK base airport today, further expanding our footprint and bringing our award-winning holidays and flights to even more customers.

“Customers and independent travel agents have been asking us to open at London Luton Airport for many years now, so we know how enormously popular this announcement will be.

“We have seen time and time again how popular our product is when we bring it to new customers, and we look forward to bringing our VIP customer service to holidaymakers from London Luton Airport.”

He added: “This latest expansion reflects our strategy to be the UK’s leading and best leisure travel business and it underlines the confidence we have.”

The airline’s expansion to Luton is expected to create more than 125 jobs, Heapy said, including flight deck, cabin crew, engineering and ground operations positions.

As part of its summer 2025 service from Luton, Jet2 will fly to the Spanish destinations of Alicante, Girona and Reus, as well as the Balearic Islands of Ibiza and Majorca.

It will offer service to Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

Jet2 will also fly to Faro and Madeira in Portugal, Crete, Rhodes and Zante in Greece, Antalya and Dalaman in Turkey and Verona in Italy.

Luton airport CEO Alberto Martin said: “We are delighted to welcome Jet2 to London Luton Airport. This is fantastic news for the millions of passengers who choose to fly from the airport each year and marks a major expansion of Jet2’s operations in the south of England.

“It will create exciting new jobs for local people and new opportunities for our local supply chain that we already work so closely with.

“Next year is already shaping up to be another bumper year for London Luton Airport and the addition of 17 exciting new routes on our departure boards, including three destinations that are exclusive to the airport, underlines our commitment to providing even greater choice as part of our simple and friendly passenger experience.”

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The UK’s Luton airport has completed a multi-million-pound investment in a fleet of sustainable car park transfer buses and operational vehicles.

The investment forms part of Luton’s sustainability strategy, which aims to deliver net zero scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 2040, the airport said.

The new buses are powered by ISCC (International Sustainability Carbon Certification) certified hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a lower-carbon alternative to diesel that can save up to 90 per cent of carbon emissions across the fuel’s lifecycle.

Alongside the transition of all airside vehicles to HVO and an increase in the number of electric vehicles, Luton’s investment in the buses means almost two thirds of the airport’s operational fleet will be electric or running on low-carbon fuel by the end of 2024, the company claims.

David Vazquez, head of sustainability at Luton airport, said: “As part of our commitment to net zero, we have set targets to implement a 100 per cent low-carbon fleet by 2030.

“From the end of this year, this latest transition will reduce our [scope 1 and scope 2] airport emissions by nearly 15 per cent, playing an important role in our plans for responsible growth.

“All aspects of our sustainability strategy are underpinned by collaboration and I’m grateful to teams across the business, who work so hard to embed better environmental and social practices into their daily roles and responsibilities.”

Luton’s trajectory to net zero scope 1 and scope 2 emissions focuses on a number of key areas that will see the airport working with partners and the wider industry to implement various decarbonisation initiatives.

These include developing on-site renewables, phasing out natural gas, improving energy efficiency and transitioning its operational fleet to low carbon alternatives.

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Changi Airport Group (CAG) will invest S$3bn over the next six years in Singapore Changi Airport Terminals 1 to 4 to improve services such as baggage handling, check-in, immigration and Skytrain connections between terminals, as well as to replace end-of-life systems to facilitate smoother passenger and airline experience.

The investments will help Changi Airport stay competitive and meet rising demand for air travel before Terminal 5 is operational in the mid-2030s.

Airport charges will be progressively raised between 2025 and 2030, to fund these investments, and cater for higher operating costs such as manpower.

This also enables the recovery of significant investments made during the Covid-19 pandemic, such as the expansion of Terminal 2 and check-in counter capacity in Terminal 3, when passenger fees and airlines charges were frozen and planned increases were suspended.

To help airlines with the transition, a 50 per cent rebate on increases in landing, parking and aerobridge (LPA) charges will be given to airlines for the first six months.

Based on current ticket prices, the increase in passenger fees is estimated to be about 1% or less for an economy class ticket on most flights departing from or connecting through Singapore.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will work with CAG to monitor the air hub’s performance to respond nimbly and make further adjustments if needed, to ensure the air hub’s competitiveness.

Over the past few years, Changi Airport Group has invested heavily in airport infrastructure to position the Changi air hub for recovery and growth.

These include the significant expansion and upgrading of Changi Airport Terminal 2 spanning the departure, immigration and transit halls and its baggage handling system, increasing the terminal’s handling capacity by 5 million to 28 million passengers per annum; additional check-in facilities in Terminal 3; new aircraft parking stands as well as operationalisation of the three-runway system.

CAG will further invest S$3bn over the next few years to expand Changi Airport’s capacity, efficiency and resilience, improve the passenger experience and make the airport a more attractive place to work.

The investments include rejuvenation of the Skytrain subsystems, upgrading of Terminal 3’s baggage handling system and new Terminal 1 to 3 inter-terminal baggage conveyance system, as well as more check-in rows at Terminal 4.

They also include expansion of Terminal 1’s arrival immigration halls, strengthening of airside infrastructure, construction of new airside facilities and refurbishment of Terminal 3.

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The UK’s Luton airport has achieved a five-star rating for ESG performance and management.

The latest Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) assessment awarded Luton top marks for the third year running.

Luton airport CEO Alberto Martin said: “London Luton Airport is committed to demonstrating the highest level of ESG governance and performance and we are therefore delighted to maintain a 100 per cent score, five-star rating and sector leader status for the third consecutive year.

“Our plans for responsible growth include ambitious goals to enable our teams to deliver a truly sustainable airport for our passengers and our local communities.

“This endorsement from GRESB further highlights our ongoing commitment to delivering Net Zero as well as broader socio-economic benefits to the region.”

In July, Luton published its latest responsible business strategy (RBS), detailing the targets and commitments that will shape the next three years of its work to improve sustainability at the airport.

Its key initiatives include the continued decarbonisation of its operational fleet and ground handling operations, and the recently launched community education programme.

GRESB CEO Sebastien Roussotte said: “GRESB sector leaders help set the pace for the industry, leading the way towards a more sustainable future.

“We are both proud of and encouraged by this year’s sector leaders for their dedication, leadership and commitment to ESG principles and sustainability.

“Our sector leaders this year have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to sustainability, leading by example and driving the industry forward. Their dedication to ESG excellence is truly commendable.

“What does it mean to be a GRESB sector leader? It’s an acknowledgment of leadership and a demonstration of the deep dedication and excellence that is driving the industry forward.”

Luton is one of the UK’s busiest airports. It handled more than 16.2 million passengers in 2023.

The airport is operated by a consortium, of which the majority shareholder is AENA, the world’s largest airport operator, and InfraBridge, a leading infrastructure investment manager.

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Birmingham Airport has been evacuated and all flights are grounded after a report of a “suspicious vehicle”.

The airport has warned passengers not to travel to the area as the incident is ongoing.

In statement on X (formerly Twitter), Birmingham said police are “currently on-site dealing with an incident”.

“Passengers are advised to NOT come to the airport at this time.”

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “Birmingham Airport is currently being evacuated following a report of a suspicious vehicle.

“This is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.”

CUSTOMER INFORMATION@WMPolice is currently on-site dealing with an incident. Airport operations are currently suspended.

Passengers are advised to NOT come to the airport at this time.

The Airport’s social media channels will be updated as and when the situation changes. pic.twitter.com/9tDEOq4Vlt

— Birmingham Airport (@bhx_official) October 23, 2024

According to Birmingham Live, a bomb disposal team was spotted at the airport’s terminal – but this claim remains unverified.

Other reports said passengers were not being allowed to disembark flights.

Meanwhile, local buses that serve terminal stops are being diverted – but trains do not appear to be affected.

One affected passenger told BBC Radio WM that his flight home from Faro Airport in Portugal had already been delayed before news of the incident was reported.

Neil from Dudley said: “We’re just wondering if they’ll redirect the flight.”

But he said there was very little information available about the situation.

This is not the first time Birmingham has been evacuated this year.

In April, flights were temporarily suspended after a security incident involving an Aer Lingus plane en route to Belfast.

The flight was diverted shortly after take-off and landed back at Birmingham, where all passengers and crew were evacuated and police searched the plane.

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SITA has appointed Nathalie Altwegg as senior vice president of the company’s airports business unit.

Altwegg will spearhead SITA’s further growth in the airports market, building on the company’s presence in more than 1,000 airports globally, as well as its drive to reinvent and digitalise operations and journeys across the world through cutting edge technology and innovation.

The newly-appointed SVP comes to her new role after serving as chief operating officer for SITA Europe for two years, bringing extensive management experience in strategy, commercial, people and portfolio, the company said.

With more than two decades of experience in the air transport industry, Altwegg has gained a deep understanding of the airports business, along with expertise in the areas of M&A, IT outsourcing and business development of all sizes, including large and complex business opportunities, SITA added. 

Altwegg said: “We’re world leaders in the airport market, focusing on the future of our thousands of airport, airline and ground handler customers across the world.

“We’re bringing great changes as we reinvent journeys and processes to deliver the ultimate travel experience with the most advanced, efficient and sustainable technologies.

“Our airports business is a jewel in the industry and I can’t wait to steer it into the future.”

CEO David Lavorel added: “It’s wonderful to be welcoming Nathalie to the executive team as a hugely experienced SITA expert with great insights into how to take our airports business forward.

“Her knowledge and leadership will be of great value to our airport customers of all sizes right across the world.”

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Singapore’s Changi Airport has said it is “building on the strong momentum” of the past 12 months as it reports this year’s Q3 results.

From July to September, the airport handled 16.8 million passenger movements – a year-on-year increase of 10 per cent.

The figure represents 97.4 per cent of the total number of passengers recorded for the third quarter of 2019.

Meanwhile, aircraft movements – including landings and take offs – totalled 92,100, up 7.5 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Among the regions, North Asia was the “top performer” this quarter, recording a growth of 27 per cent and close to 50 per cent more passenger traffic year-to-date compared to 2023, Changi said. 

The airport’s top five markets for Q3 were China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and Thailand.

Passenger traffic between China and Singapore continued to show strong growth, recording a 50 per cent year-on-year increase for the quarter, placing China as Changi’s top market.

Hong Kong and Japan also recorded significant growth, with Q3 traffic surpassing 2023 levels by more than 20 per cent.

Lim Ching Kiat, Changi Airport Group’s executive vice president for air hub and cargo development, said: “North Asia continued to be the top performer this quarter, building on the strong momentum we have seen over the past year.

“Markets like China, Hong Kong and Japan have shown good growth for both outbound and inbound travel.

“This year, we have partnered closely with Chinese carriers to expand connectivity by adding four new routes to Jieyang Chaoshan, Linyi, Quanzhou and Taiyuan, and more flights to key cities like Shanghai, Beijing and Chongqing.

“With the upcoming year-end travel season upon us, we hope to welcome more travellers to Changi Airport.”

Cargo also saw year-on-year growth at 13.5 per cent, as the airport recorded 512,000 tonnes of airfreight throughput.

Changi saw growth across all cargo flows, including exports, imports and transshipments.

The airport said its top five cargo markets for the third quarter were Australia, China, Hong Kong, India and the US.

As at 1 October, 96 airlines operate more than 7,000 weekly scheduled flights at Changi Airport, connecting Singapore to 161 cities in 50 countries and territories worldwide.

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£1.1bn will be invested in Stansted Airport to boost the British economy, UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer announced today at the International Investment Summit.

The five-year investment is expected to double the airport’s annual economic contribution to the UK to £2bn and create 5,000 new jobs.

Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which owns Stansted as well as Manchester and East Midlands airports, is funding the investment.

£600mn will be invested to expand the airport’s passenger terminal by a third to secure new routes, while £500mn will be put towards improving the existing terminal and wider airport estate. Construction is expected to begin in 2025.

Ken O’Toole, CEO of Manchester Airports Group, said: “By investing more than £1bn in Stansted over the next five years, we will be able to connect people and businesses in London and the east of England to even more global destinations, while welcoming millions more visitors to the UK.

“We are proud to be investing in our infrastructure in a way that will create jobs and stimulate trade, investment and tourism. 

“Aviation is an essential enabler of the success of the UK’s key high-value industries, and we look forward to helping the government achieve the highest sustained growth in the G7 through the sustainable growth of our airports.”

The investment will also deliver on Stansted’s 14.3MW on-site solar farm, which will support the airport’s current and increasing electricity demands.

It follows the recent creation of a new electric vehicle charging forecourt at the airport.

The scheme is expected to significantly improve the passenger experience from check-in to immigration.

It will deliver a larger security hall, an airfield taxiway upgrade and an overhaul of gate rooms, boosting capacity and comfort for passengers before boarding, the Department for Transport said.

The expansion plans already have planning permissions to begin construction, and are in line with previously agreed passenger and flight numbers.

Gareth Powell, managing director of Stansted, said: “Stansted is embarking on an exciting new chapter.

“We aim to add even more choice of airlines to continue growing our extensive route network that is valued and enjoyed by the millions of passengers who choose to fly from London Stansted every year.

“We are already welcoming a record number of passengers, with people drawn to the fact we give them a great choice of destinations, at excellent value and with fantastic access into central London and the whole of the East of England.”

The airport served 29.3 million passengers in the year to September 2024, the busiest 12-month period in its history.

Over the past year, a number of new airlines have started flying from Stansted for the first time, including Royal Jordanian and Sun Express, and the return of British Airways, boosting the number of destinations on the departure board to more than 200 this summer.

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Swedish airports Stockholm Arlanda and Ronneby have been awarded Level 5 Airport Carbon Accreditation, the highest level in the programme.

Swedavia, which owns both airports, said the accreditations have strengthened the airport operator’s position as a “global leader” in decarbonisation.

With this achievement, four of Swedavia’s 10 airports now hold the highest level of climate certification, following Göteborg Landvetter and Malmö airports which reached Level 5 in December last year.

The airport operator’s remaining six airports are aiming to reach top certification by 2026.

Jonas Abrahamsson, president and CEO of Swedavia, said: “These certifications show that we continue to lead the way and have chosen to invest in aviation’s necessary climate transition for sustainable air travel.

“This certification is the result of our long-term efforts, where we have taken a holistic approach to the entire ecosystem of the airports and also involved our partners in the transition.

“Of the 18 Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 5 airports worldwide, Swedavia has four.”

Olivier Jankovec, director general of ACI Europe, added: “I am thrilled by Swedavia’s accrediting two more airports at Level 5 including Sweden’s largest hub – it is a truly remarkable accomplishment.

“Stockholm Arlanda and Ronneby airports are now amongst the 18 pioneers worldwide to reach this level of carbon management.”

Swedavia became fossil-free in its own airport operations at all 10 locations in 2020, making it the first airport operator in the world to achieve this.

By 2025, all ground operations at Swedavia’s airports by third party operators will also be made fossil-free through a partnership plan which involves them signing an agreement with Swedavia to phase out fossil fuels from their operations. 

The company’s long-term goal is for domestic flights to be fossil-free by 2030 and for international flights to be fossil-free by 2045, in line with the Swedish aviation industry’s joint roadmap within the framework of Fossil-Free Sweden. 

Level 5 certification of Stockholm Arlanda and Ronneby airports means that both the largest and smallest of Swedavia’s airports are now certified at the highest level.

Swedevia is aiming for Kiruna, Visby and Åre Östersund airports to be Level 5 certified by spring 2025. 

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