Each summer, holidaymakers will leave 20.9 million tonnes* of plastic waste in their holiday destinations, and research commissioned by London Luton Airport (LLA) revealed inflatables as one of the most frequently discarded holiday staples.¹

From the timeless and classic lilo (47%) to flamingo rings (31%) and oversized unicorn floats (24%), inflatables are an essential holiday staple for many families (41%). However, over a third (36%) of people admit to bringing inflatables on holiday, only to use them once.

In the past year, over half (51%) of holiday goers have purchased a new inflatable to take on holiday. However, many of these buys never make it home, as they are ditched on average after just eight days. This equates to over 54.5 million* abandoned inflatables that are left on holiday - enough to circle the world twice* when laid end to end. 

Top reasons for buying and binning inflatables included limited suitcase space (27%), punctured items (19%), a lack of use at home (17%) and the faff of deflating (12%). 

Over half of those surveyed (61%) were open to buying ‘pre-loved’ holiday items, and more than a third (36%) have regifted them for fellow holidaymakers to use. Four in five (83%) would consider donating unwanted inflatables at the end of a trip, with 72% expressing a desire to be more environmentally responsible when holidaying. 

In response, London’s ‘simplest and friendliest’ airport has launched the 'LLA Lilo Exchange'. A selection of free, pre-loved inflatables will be available to passengers, enabling departing holidaymakers to drop off and pick up pre-loved floats before flying off (available while stocks last).

Returning flyers can drop off their used lilos as they arrive back on UK soil, in exchange for a free Fast Track security pass for their next journey from LLA. 

The ‘LLA Lilo Exchange’ is fully stocked with everything from lilos to rubber rings and inflatable dolphins or crocodiles, offering responsibly sourced options for both adults and children.

The initiative is part of the airport's ‘LLA Resort’ summer campaign which offers passengers exclusive deals with retailers across the airport, exciting competitions, unexpected giveaways and moments of in-terminal surprise and delight, all designed to help passengers to get their holiday started.

Clare Armstrong, Head of Guest Experience at London Luton Airport, says: “We’re thrilled to launch London Luton Airport’s ‘LLA Lilo Exchange’ this summer - a fun and environmentally responsible way to highlight our simple and friendly passenger experience. As we all know, inflatables are one of the most loved holiday staples to travel with and, contrary to the belief of nearly half (45%) of passengers, deflated inflatables are allowed through airport security. Our Lilo Exchange aims to provide a fun way to encourage people to travel more responsibly by bringing back unwanted inflatables, so that other holidaymakers jetting off from LLA can do the same.”

With an estimated 2.5 million³ people set to fly from LLA this summer, top departing destinations⁴ include Spain’s paradise island of Palma de Mallorca and popular sunshine destinations like Faro and Malaga. The ‘LLA Lilo Exchange’ is just one more reason to get in the holiday mood before you’ve even taken off. 

To celebrate Jet2’s first summer of operations at LLA, sunseekers can also be in with a chance to win a free seven-night holiday for four from LLA at the four-star+ Enotel Lido Resort in Madeira, along with free Fast Track security passes. Complete this form to be in with a chance of winning.

The top 10 most abandoned items on holiday exposed:
1.    Sandals / flip flops / beach shoes (32%)
2.    Sunglasses (24%)
3.    Beach towels and mats (22%)
4.    Books (20%)
5.    Sun hats and caps (18%)
6.    Swimwear (16%)
7.    Inflatable lilos (12%)
8.    Snorkelling sets (12%)
9.    Travel games (cards, compact board games) (11%)
10.    Inflatable pool / beach toys / pool rings (10%)

ENDS  

Notes to Editors:
1.    The survey of 2,000 adults (18+) based in the UK, was carried out by 3Gem between 14th - 17th July 2025
2.    Terms & Conditions – ‘LLA Lilo Exchange’
a.    The ‘LLA Lilo Exchange’ will run from 4th August – 14th August. Lilos and other inflatables can be collected from the LLA Sumer Resort stand in front of Departures between 10.00 and 16.00 (Monday to Thursday), and while stocks last. 
b.    Passengers can return their inflatables upon their return to LLA up until 1st September 2025.
c.    Passengers who return their inflatable will be eligible to receive a free Fast Track pass for their next holiday at LLA in 2026. 
d.    Additional terms and conditions apply and will be provided to passengers upon collection of inflatables. 
3.    Passenger numbers forecasted between the 18th July to 31st August: 
a.    Total Pax – 2.5m and total Departing pax – 1.3m
4.    Top departing destinations between 18th July to 31st August are:
a.    Palma de Mallorca
b.    Faro
c.    Malaga
d.    Alicante
e.    Zante
f.    Fuerteventura 
g.    Gran Canaria 
h.    Lanzarote

Additional holiday destination predictions between 18th July to 31st August at LLA:
●    Most popular city break destinations:

• Amsterdam
• Dublin
• Paris
• Verona
• Warsaw

●    New routes/Destinations include:
○    easyJet: Funchal, Portugal’s paradise island and the capital of the Madeira archipelago, a new route for LLA which will operate twice a week throughout the summer; Summer routes from LLA to popular cities including Bordeaux (France) and Murcia (Spain) have been extended into all-year-round flights, with flight seats up-for-grabs already
○    Jet2: announced an expanded summer 2026 programme, featuring new routes to:

• Corfu (two weekly services - Monday and Thursday) 
• Kos (two weekly services - Monday and Thursday) 
• Preveza (exclusive route - weekly Sunday services) 
• Skiathos (exclusive route - weekly Saturday services) 
• Menorca (two weekly services - Tuesday and Friday)    

○    Ryanair: announced the operation of a new route between LLA and Wrocław, a city famous for its historic old town square and Centennial Hall, from winter 2025
○    Wizz Air: has announced eight new routes -

• Italy & Austria - Launching October 26, 2025
• Milan Malpensa (11x weekly)
• Rome Fiumicino (11x weekly)
• Vienna International (daily)
• Spain - Launching March 29, 2026
• Barcelona (10x weekly)
• Madrid (Daily)
• Bilbao (5x weekly)
• Seville (4x weekly)
• Valencia (5x weekly)

*Calculating the 20.9m figure: Take the total number of each item left behind (from above) and X it by the average weight per item (lilo=1kg / beach toy = 0.1kg / ring = 0.25kg / armband = 0.16kg); this gives you weight for each item, then simply add them together.

*Calculating the 54.5m figure: Equation for each item: ((UK adults X % holiday makers) X % who left item behind) X average number left behind = total number of each specific item left behind. Then add the scores for the x4 items together.

• The study reveals the % of people who left behind each type of inflatable, so calculate the no.of people who left behind each type of inflatable:
• Lilo = 12% X 48.683m UK Holidaymakers = 5,841,960 left behind lilos
• Inflatable pool/beach toys = 10% X 48.683m UK Holiday makers = 4,868,300 left behind inflatable pool/beach toys 
• Inflatable ring = 10% X 48.683m UK Holiday makers = 4,868,300 left behind inflatable rings
• Arm bands = 9% X 48.683m UK Holiday makers = 4,381,470 left behind arm bands
• Then calculate the number of items, using the avg no. of items people claim to leave behind:
• Lilo = 2.5 (avg no. left behind) X 5,841,960 people who left behind Lilos = 14,604,900 total no.of lilos left behind
• Inflatable pool/beach toys = 3.3 (avg no. left behind) X 4,868,300 people who left behind beach toys = 16,065,390 total no.of inflatable pool/beach toys left behind
• Inflatable rings = 2.2 (avg no. left behind) X 4,868,300 people who left behind rings = 10,710,260 total no.of rings left behind
• Arm bands = 3.0 (avg no. left behind) X 4,381,470 people who left behind arm bands = 13,144,410 total no.of arm bands left behind
• Add these together = 54.5m.

*Calculating the twice round the world figure: Total number of dumped inflatables = 54.5m, smallest average lilo length = 170cm

• 54.5m x 170 = 9,180,000,000cm which equals 57,042 miles
• Once around the world = 24,901 miles, so twice around the world = 49,802 miles (leaving a 7,768 mile margin for error for smaller items e.g. armbands)

 

About London Luton Airport

London Luton Airport (LLA) is one of the UK’s busiest airports, carrying over 16.7 million passengers in 2024. 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. 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.

Last year, LLA also became only the third major UK airport to achieve 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 two 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 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.

To learn about the progress London Luton Airport is making across its sustainability programme please click here.

Further information on London Luton Airport can be found here: https://www.london-luton.co.uk/

Contact Details:

London Luton Airport – PR agency:
E: LLA@tinmancomms.com

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

URL: https://mediahub.london-luton.co.uk/news/31072025/llas-lilo-exchange-sun-sea-and-swap