Here are the recent changes at London Luton Airport that affect how you travel, from new routes and price changes to construction and security rules. This page was last updated in August 2026. It covers what has changed, not today's live status.
Checking live delays and departures today
For today's delays, cancellations and live departure boards, check the official London Luton Airport website and your airline app, or a flight tracker such as Flightradar24. This page tracks the changes that stick, not minute-by-minute status.
Construction / terminal works / expansion
- 31 July 2025 The UK Supreme Court declined to grant campaigners permission for a final appeal, allowing Luton's expansion to proceed unopposed. (source)
- 3 April 2025 The Government approved (via a Development Consent Order) Luton's £2.4bn expansion to grow annual capacity from 19 million to 32 million passengers, including a new Terminal 2, extensions to Terminal 1, extra taxiways and stands, and enhancements to the DART rail link. The project is expected to create up to 11,000 jobs and add £1.5bn a year to the economy. (source)
- 32m by 2043 Reporting on the approval set out the phased path to doubling passenger numbers to 32 million a year by 2043. (source)
Passenger records / milestones
- 9 January 2026 Luton confirmed a landmark 2025, welcoming more than 17.5 million passengers and achieving record customer satisfaction scores. (source)
- 2025-2026 The DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) passed six million passenger journeys since opening in March 2023, with rail/DART modal share rising to around 19%. (source)
- Easter 2026 Luton expected more than 190,000 passengers over the Easter bank holiday period, with its free pre-book security service hitting 95% satisfaction. (source)
New and ended routes / airlines
- 23 December 2025 Wizz Air acquired London Luton slots from TUI, based its 15th aircraft (an Airbus A321neo) at the airport and confirmed six new routes for summer 2026. (source)
- Summer 2026 The six new Wizz Air routes from Luton are Yerevan (Armenia), Alicante, Lyon, Corfu, Faro and Turin, taking Wizz Air's Luton destination count to 66. Yerevan flights start 12 June 2026, twice weekly, from £36.99. (source)
- 2026 Wizz Air also added year-round Spain routes from Luton (including Málaga, Granada and Asturias), reinforcing its position as the airport's largest operator. (source)
Parking, drop-off or fare price changes
- 2026 Luton's drop-off charge is £7 for the first 10 minutes, then £1 for each additional minute up to a 30-minute cap. Payment is due online by midnight the next day or a £95 Penalty Charge Notice applies. (source)
Security rule changes
- August 2026 Luton still applies the 100ml liquids rule with a single clear resealable bag. It has not yet received the next-generation CT scanners that allow up to 2 litres, and its rollout is running behind schedule to unlike Heathrow, Edinburgh and Birmingham which have relaxed the limit. (source)
- 2026 Which? guidance confirmed the 100ml rule and clear-bag requirement remain in force at Luton pending the scanner upgrade. (source)
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Last verified August 2026 by the London Luton Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official London Luton Airport website before you travel.