Luton Airport’s plans to grow to 32 million passengers a year by the mid 2040s have had a major boost, after the High Court rejected a legal challenge from local campaigners.
The court ruled that the government acted lawfully when it approved the expansion in April, which includes a new terminal, an extension to the current airfield platform and new facilities.
The challenge was brought by the Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise group (LADACAN), which opposes the plans and says the extra flights will harm the climate and the Chilterns National Landscape.
Mrs Justice Lang dismissed all five of LADACAN’s arguments. She said decisions about the climate impact of aviation are for the government.
A key point in the case was whether the environmental reports should have included emissions from planes flying into Luton, not just those flying out. LADACAN said recent legal rulings mean both must be counted. The judge disagreed.
She accepted that inbound emissions were recorded but said it is not possible to compare them fairly against national climate targets because those targets only count outbound flights, to avoid double counting. She said it was “a rational conclusion” for the government to decide the inbound emissions were not large enough to change its decision.
The judge also rejected arguments that the government ignored earlier work on Gatwick or failed to measure other climate effects. She said there was “no legal obligation” to try to measure complex non CO2 impacts and that choosing how to assess them was up to the decision maker.
One part of the case has not been decided yet. LADACAN argues that the government’s Jet Zero climate plan is unlawful. That point has been paused while another court case on Jet Zero is heard.
LADACAN says it is considering whether to appeal. The High Court has refused permission, but the group can take the question to the Court of Appeal. It argues the ruling leaves a gap where inbound emissions are accepted as real but cannot be weighed properly.
The Examining Authority, which studied the plans before they went to ministers, had recommended refusing approval because it felt the benefits did not outweigh the environmental harm. Ministers disagreed and approved the expansion after further consultation. The judge said it is not her role to revisit that planning judgment.
Luton Airport’s chief executive Alberto Martin welcomed the ruling. In a statement on LinkedIn he said: “We welcome today’s decision from the High Court. The plans represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Luton, unlocking £1.5 billion in additional economic value each year and creating up to 11,000 new jobs by 2043.
“It builds on major infrastructure investments being made across the region, including East West Rail and Universal’s proposed development, strengthening connectivity, driving growth, and reinforcing the area’s long-term economic potential. We continue to work with Luton Rising and Luton Borough Council to agree how to make expansion a reality as soon as possible.”
The decision offers a clear path to move ahead with the expansion, though the final outcome will depend on whether campaigners decide to appeal.
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