Luton Airport is pressing ahead with expansion plans following the announcement of a third runway for Heathrow.

London Luton Airport Ltd aims to expand the airport capacity to cater for up to 38 million passengers a year – 20 million more than what is currently permitted – with a public consultation opening today.

LLAL’s initial analysis suggests that the existing runway at Luton could serve between 36m and 38m passengers annually, and they are in the process of preparing a Development Consent Order application which will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate next year.

Transport secretary Chris Grayling announced this month that the Airport National Policy Statement, and therefore the third runway, has been approved by Cabinet and will go to a parliamentary vote. The third runway is the government’s preferred option to ease air congestion in the south east.

Luton borough councillor Andy Malcolm, who chairs the LLAL board, said: “We welcome the announcement that the government will be proceeding as planned with the Airport National Policy Statement.

“It’s been clear for some time that there is a strong need for additional airport capacity in the south east.

“London Luton Airport and Heathrow play different roles and serve different markets in the aviation sector. LLA primarily serves short-haul European destinations, while Heathrow focuses on its role as one of the major European hub airports.

“Luton is the UK’s fifth biggest airport and one of the fastest growing. We have ambitious plans for the airport and look forward to playing a strong role in meeting the increasing demand for aviation.

“We believe that the development at Luton will deliver valuable runway capacity to meet the specific needs of its catchment area for mainly short-haul, point-to-point journeys.

“With that in mind, we launched our LLA vision for sustainable growth 2020-2050 last December, which aligns with the government’s position that airports should make best use of their existing runways.”

LLAL’s 10-week consultation on the proposals runs until August 31 – with events in Hitchin, Stevenage and Whitwell.

The drop-in session at Hitchin Town Hall in Brand Street takes places from 2pm until 8pm on Monday, July 16, while Stevenage’s will be held in the Ellen Terry Room at Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre in Lytton Way at the same times on Monday, July 23.

The Whitwell session is from 4pm to 8pm on Thursday, August 2, with Whitwell New Fellowship Hall in Bendish Lane the venue.