Luton Airport reopens car park after two years, prices rise 40%

London Luton Airport reopened Terminal Car Park 2 two years after a fire destroyed the facility, but travelers will face higher parking costs. The rebuilt car park now offers 1,900 vehicle spaces and includes a new covered drop-off and pick-up zone. The rate for the 10-minute drop-off period has risen from £5 to £7, a 40% increase, as the airport implements improvements tied to its broader mobility strategy.

The current temporary drop-off area outside the terminal will be repurposed to accommodate additional bus stands, and the project includes wider changes to the airport’s pick-up and drop-off points. Blue Badge holders can now park for 30 minutes free in Terminal Car Park 1, and Electric Vehicles benefit from £1 for 30 minutes in the same car park. Free drop-off and pick-up is extended to two hours in the Long Stay car park, while there will be no drop-off facility in the Mid-Stay car park. These adjustments are part of the airport’s effort to steer passengers toward public transport and safer, more efficient travel patterns.

The changes form part of London Luton Airport’s broader strategy, backed by a newly launched £1.5 million Public Transport Investment Fund. Alberto Martin, CEO of London Luton Airport, said the measures aim to improve connectivity and encourage growth in sustainable travel to and from the airport. "As part of our growth plans, we have set challenging targets on public transport use. We have begun exploring opportunities for the £1.5 million Public Transport Investment Fund to be directed towards local bus services, improved rail connections, and infrastructure upgrades around the airport to encourage more sustainable travel and reduce reliance on private cars. By reopening our car park alongside this fund, we’re supporting both the immediate needs of our passengers and the long-term goal of improving public transport links to and from the airport," he said.

The car park’s reopening follows a 2023 fire that destroyed the previous structure. Investigations by Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service determined the blaze started accidentally from a diesel Range Rover that had entered the car park with light smoke trailing from the vehicle. The driver did not notice the issue until reaching the third floor, at which point flames emerged from the front of the car. The fire destroyed more than 1,300 vehicles and prompted the temporary suspension of all flights until the following day as firefighting crews, numbering more than 100, worked to contain the blaze. No injuries were reported.

The fire’s aftermath prompted a review of fire safety measures for multi-storey car parks. The Bedfordshire report highlighted gaps in fire protection and noted that a properly installed sprinkler system could have altered the course of the event, potentially slowing the spread. In the wake of the incident, the airport and local authorities have signaled continued investment in safety upgrades and in building a more resilient transport network around London Luton to support longer-term growth and reduce dependence on passenger car travel.