297,000 passengers travelled through London Luton Airport this October, down 82% compared to the same period last year.

While the airport will remain operational for essential travel, as it did during the first lockdown, with a ban on all other international and domestic travel, passenger numbers during November are expected to plummet by more than 95%.

For those passengers who do need to use the airport, there are enhanced measures in place to protect both them and staff. These include enhanced cleaning and sanitisation, hand sanitiser units across the airport and the use of protective screens at customer touch points. LLA was the first UK airport to be awarded the Airport Health Accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI) for meeting global industry standards and best practice.

LLA is calling for direct financial support for the aviation sector which has been deeply affected by the pandemic, and this is set to continue as England enters a period of tougher coronavirus restrictions. The airport is also calling for a testing system to be in place by the 2nd December, to coincide with the end of the current lockdown period. This will help get people moving again by minimising the need for quarantine for those arriving in the UK and having an agreed international framework to provide the necessary consistency for those departing the UK.

Alberto Martin, CEO of LLA, said: “The airport remains ready to play its part in protecting public health whilst keeping lifeline services moving throughout this second lockdown, as we did with the first. The ban on all but essential international travel will have a profound impact on the already struggling aviation industry. Along with the Airport Operators’ Association, we are calling for further support for the sector and for the thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on it.”