https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4vg2d9v7no

London Luton Airport hopes to almost double annual passenger numbers to 32 million by 2043 after the government approved expansion plans, including a new terminal.

It came despite the Planning Inspectorate recommending Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander rejected them over environmental concerns.

Luton Rising, the airport’s owner, said the decision could bring “significant economic, employment and social benefits for our town”.

However, environmental campaigners said “with climate change worsening, the last thing any of us need is 70,000 more aircraft a year”.

Luton was the UK’s fifth busiest airport last year, with 16.9 million people travelling on 132,000 flights.

The expansion plans involve building a new terminal, new taxiways and increasing capacity in the existing terminal, from its current 18 million passengers a year.

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A spokesman for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “pleased” with the decision.

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