Luton Airport Express Set for £27.6 Million Upgrade Enhancing Passenger Experience

As the Luton Airport Express marks its first anniversary, East Midlands Railway (EMR) has unveiled plans for a significant £27.6 million refurbishment of the service. This upgrade aims to enhance the travel experience for passengers commuting to and from London Luton Airport (LLA), aligning with growing demands for comfort and convenience.

Since its inception, the Luton Airport Express, complemented by the Luton DART connection, has seen over 530,000 passengers benefit from its direct and efficient service to central London. The refurbishment will involve modernizing the fleet of electric class 360 trains with new 2+2 seating arrangements, expanded luggage racks, updated charging points, and advanced passenger information systems.

Alberto Martin, CEO of London Luton Airport, highlighted the importance of the investment: “This investment from EMR is exciting news and will deliver an enhanced on-board passenger experience. It strengthens the appeal of rail as a sustainable travel option, making our airport even more accessible and improving the end-to-end passenger journey.”

Will Rogers, Managing Director of East Midlands Railway, emphasized the service's success and future potential: “This multi-million-pound investment redefines travel experience for Luton Airport Express passengers. With a 40 percent increase in passengers since linking up with the DART a year ago, this upgrade will provide a faster, more comfortable, and environmentally friendly way to access London Luton Airport.”

The Luton DART, celebrating its first anniversary last month, has also been instrumental in enhancing airport connectivity, transporting over 2.7 million passengers between Luton Airport Parkway railway station and the airport terminal. Alberto Martin added, “Alongside the Luton Airport Express, the DART is transforming LLA’s connectivity and making the passenger experience from train to plane simple, friendly, and convenient.”

Nick Platts, Managing Director of Luton Rising, expressed satisfaction with the DART’s performance and broader benefits: “The Luton DART has been a huge hit, encouraging sustainable travel and supporting local community initiatives with our unique annual contribution to charitable organizations.”

With these enhancements, the Luton Airport Express and the DART are set to play pivotal roles in promoting sustainable travel and improving accessibility to London Luton Airport, further boosting passenger satisfaction and supporting local community development.