Luton airport History

Luton Airport was originally opened in July 1938 by the then secretary for air Kingsley Wood. As with most other airports during the Second World War it was requisitioned by the RAF and used as a base for fighter aircraft. When the war was finally over Luton Airport returned to civilian control and commercial operations began again in earnest.

Luton Airport became the base for airlines such as Euravia and Monarch and was running as one of the most profitable airports in the country. The airport suffered financial problems in 1974 when Clarkson's a tour operator that ran the airline Courtline went bankrupt.

Over the next decade the Luton Airport underwent a rebuilding process which involved the construction of the airports new terminal building which was completed in 1985. Luton Airport suffered more financial problems when in 1991 Ryanair closed its Luton base and transferred to Stansted. However this problem was overcome later that decade EasyJet and Airtours began to operate out of the airport thus securing its future for the time being.

In 1998 a £40m terminal was completed in glass and aluminium by Foster and partners who earlier that decade designed the advanced Stansted terminal. This new terminal contained 60 check-in desks and a fine range of bars, eateries and shops to bring the hotel into the new millennium.

The terminal building underwent refurbishing in 2000 and added another 15 shopping and catering outlets to the already substantial list, in addition the baggage re-claim facilities along with the arrivals and departure areas were enlarged.