London’s Deputy Mayor for Transport and Deputy Chair of TfL Seb Dance has been learning about London Luton Airport’s work to improve connectivity with the capital.

During a visit to the airport Mr Dance was given a tour of the Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit), an automated people mover that will whisk passengers from the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway railway station in well under four minutes.

The Luton DART, which is due to open later this year, will reduce overall journey times between the airport and 22 stations across Greater London served by Luton Airport Parkway station. Eight trains an hour serve London St Pancras, with an express service every half-hour taking just 22 minutes. The DART project is being delivered by the airport’s owner Luton Rising.

During the visit, Mr Dance met with LLA’s senior management team to hear about the airport’s recovery following the pandemic, as well as its plans for future sustainable growth. The tour also provided an opportunity to meet with LLA’s passenger services, security and operations teams and those working at the airport’s Ukrainian humanitarian hub.

Alberto Martin, CEO of LLA, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome London’s Deputy Mayor for Transport to London Luton Airport and have an opportunity to highlight the improved connectivity to the capital. When it opens later this year, the DART will transform the passenger experience and create the fastest rail connection to Central London after Heathrow, helping us in our goal to support more sustainable modes of transport.”

Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor of London for Transport, said: “I was pleased to visit Luton and see the new DART, which is a crucial development that is set to deliver vastly improved connectivity to those visiting our city. As London recovers from the pandemic, delivering high quality public transport connections is vital to boosting economic growth and encouraging visitors from around the world back to London.”

Graham Olver, CEO of Luton Rising, added: “We are delighted to have had this opportunity to showcase the Luton DART and the benefits it is set to deliver to LLA, its passengers and the surrounding community. A sustainable approach is vital to the future success of the aviation industry and the Luton DART will see a significant amount of passenger traffic shifting from road to rail. This was an important opportunity to reaffirm our environmental commitments and the role the Luton DART will play in helping to deliver the Luton 2040 Carbon Neutral target.”

About London Luton Airport:

London Luton Airport (LLA) is one of the UK’s busiest airports despite Covid-19, carrying 58 million passengers in the past five years.

The airport is operated by a consortium of which the majority shareholder is AENA, the world’s largest airport operator, and AMP Capital, a specialist global investment manager. Airlines include easyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair, Tui, Blue Air, FlyOne, Sun Express and El Al.

LLA was the first UK airport to receive the Airport Health Accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI) for health and hygiene measures introduced during the pandemic.

Passengers travelling by rail can reach the airport via a half-hourly express rail service which operates between London and Luton Airport Parkway. In addition, work is nearly complete on a light rail system linking the airport with Luton Airport Parkway station. The project is being delivered by the airport’s owner Luton Rising – a company owned by Luton Council to enhance local and regional economic growth and social investment.

Contact Details:

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

URL: https://mediahub.london-luton.co.uk/news/30052022/tfl-boss-visits-new-airport-rail-link