Chartered Surveyors Luton Bedfordshire

Approximate Population: 203,800

Luton has excellent transport links and is situated less than 30 miles north of the centre of London, giving it good links with the City and other parts of the country via the motorway network and the National Rail system. Luton is also home to London Luton Airport, one of the major feeder airports for London and the southeast. Luton is also served by a bus service run by Arriva and a large taxi network. As a Unitary Authority, Luton Borough Council is responsible for the local highways and public transport in the Borough and licensing of Taxis.

A council-owned airport was first opened on the current site as Luton Municipal Airport on 16 July 1938 by the Secretary of State for Air, Kingsley Wood. During the Second World War Luton Airport was a base for the Royal Air Force 264 Fighter Squadron.

London Luton Airport has expanded rapidly over the last few years. The airport is a hub for budget airlines offering cheap flights. Flights from the airport increased substantially from the 1960s as new charter airlines (e.g. Court Line) flew from there in preference to the London airports. Despite problems in the 1970s, a new terminal was opened in 1985 by the Prince of Wales. The airport was renamed London Luton Airport in 1990, just before Ryanair took its business to Stansted. The growth of new low-cost flights rejuvenated the airport and passenger numbers more than doubled from 1992 to 1998. In 1999, a new terminal was added and a new railway station, Luton Airport Parkway, opened. The airport is managed by a Spanish airport operator on behalf of the council.

The airport was mentioned in a 1970s advert for Campari featuring Lorraine Chase. (When asked “Were you truly wafted here from paradise?” she replied “Nah, Luton Airport!”)

Luton Airport is also a base for private jets.