London Luton Airport (LLA) is aiming to inspire the next generation of aviation stars with the launch of an exciting new competition for local students. 

The competition is open to KS3, KS4 and post-16-year-old students at all Luton schools and colleges and is designed to ignite imagination and innovation, develop real-life skills and provide opportunities to experience the crucial roles that make an airport work every day.

Competition entrants for the 11-15 age group category are challenged to create an engaging and creative 90-second video welcoming passengers to LLA, with an emphasis on storytelling and showcasing the best of our community. Competition winners will receive a behind-the-scenes tour of Cranfield University, a world-leading specialist institution with expertise in aerospace and aviation, including its airport and unique aircraft. 

The 16+ age group category will invite entrants to design an interactive workshop for students aged 14 and over, highlighting the wide range of careers in aviation, from engineering, operations and fire service, to sustainability, customer experience, digital innovation and security. The winning entrants will have the chance to experience a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity, flying from LLA to Cranfield in the University’s unique Saab340B National Flying Laboratory Centre aircraft, used exclusively for teaching, research and consultancy.

The competition is being backed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Department for Transport Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund. Last year, LLA successfully applied for a £90,000 grant via the fund that aims to support community outreach projects designed to inspire and create opportunities for those underrepresented in the aviation sector. 

Nik Jones, HR Director at London Luton Airport, commented: “London Luton Airport is excited to launch these competitions that aim to foster the creativity, curiosity and essential skills development of pupils from schools and colleges across Luton. This competition highlights LLA’s commitment to local education and skills development and forms part of the airport's wider Classroom to Careers education programme* that encompasses environmental and skills development workshops, apprenticeships, university partnerships and work experience placements. Our long-standing relationship with Cranfield University means we have two incredible prizes to offer and, with everything to play for, our message to the next generation of aspiring aviation professionals in our town is ‘grab the opportunity to get involved with both hands and let your creativity flow’!”
 

Image courtesy of Viasat.

Professor Anna Smallwood, Head of Air Transport Management, Cranfield University, said: “At Cranfield University, we are passionate about aviation and aerospace so we are delighted to partner with London Luton Airport and highlight the breadth of opportunities that exist in air transport. This competition is a fantastic way to spark curiosity, build confidence and connect classroom learning with real-world careers. By working together with London Luton Airport, we are proud to help inspire a diverse, ambitious next generation of talent who will shape the future of our industry.” 

Students seeking further information on the competition and the award submission process should do so via their school’s career lead.

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Notes for editors

*LLA’s Classroom to Careers programme aims to reach over 2,000 local students by the end of 2027 and is aligned with Luton Council’s Luton 2040 vision of building a healthy, fair town where everyone can thrive.

About London Luton Airport

London Luton Airport (LLA) is one of the UK’s busiest airports, operated by a consortium, of which the majority shareholder is AENA, the world’s largest airport operator, and InfraBridge, a leading infrastructure investment manager. Airlines include Jet2, easyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair, Tui, FlyOne, Sun Express and El Al.

The airport is owned for community benefit by Luton Rising, a company wholly-owned by Luton Council, which has invested more than £500m in front-line, voluntary and charitable services since 1998.

The Luton Airport Express is a new dedicated train service that allows passengers to travel from central London to the LLA terminal in around 30 minutes. The Luton Airport Express runs from St Pancras International to Luton Airport Parkway station and connects seamlessly with the DART, an electrically powered people mover that connects to the airport terminal in less than four minutes.

In 2024, LLA was named European Airport of the Year (10-25 million passengers) by ACI EUROPE, and in 2025 LLA received the highest possible rating of 'Very Good' in the annual Airport Accessibility report published by the CAA, assessing assisted travel service performance.

In 2023, LLA also achieved Level 4 of the globally recognised Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme, demonstrating that it is ‘transforming its operations to achieve carbon reductions in line with global climate goals’. With a maximum score of 100 and a five-star rating, LLA has been ranked as a sector leader for four consecutive years in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) benchmark of sustainability governance management and performance of major infrastructure assets worldwide.

LLA continues to be a major employer and a key economic driver in Bedfordshire — supporting 28,000 jobs and contributing £830 million per year to the local economy. In 2024, LLA spent 60% of its supply chain costs with more than 300 businesses within a 25-mile radius of the airport, totalling £110 million.

About Cranfield University

Cranfield is a specialist postgraduate university with globally renowned expertise in science, technology, engineering and management. We deliver applied research that has real-world impact – 88% of our research is world-leading or internationally excellent (REF2021).

Our innovative education is enhanced by large-scale facilities and global industry partnerships. Cranfield is one of the few universities in the world to have its own airport – our global research airport is a unique environment for research. We are a six-time winner of the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize, the highest national honour for educational institutions.

Cranfield formed in 1946 as the College of Aeronautics, the first postgraduate college of its kind. The School of Management was founded in 1967.

www.cranfield.ac.uk​

London Luton Airport Press Office
T: 01582 395333
E: pressoffice@ltn.aero

Media Relations, Cranfield University.
T: +44 (0) 1234 75 4999
Email: mediarelations@cranfield.ac.uk

URL: https://mediahub.london-luton.co.uk/news/19012026/lla-school-competition-inspires-young-talent