Luton Airport reveals insurer progress on removing vehicles from destroyed car park

Three quarters of the vehicles destroyed by a fire in one of Luton Airport’s main car parks have now been removed by salvage experts on behalf of insurers.

The blaze broke out in the terminal two car park in October 2023 and caused significant structural damage to the building.

In an update yesterday (8 April 2024), Luton Airport said over 60% of the car park had now been dismantled, while 75% of the 1,300 vehicles affected have been removed.

The airport has also been working with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) and the ABI to enable the “claims process to be managed as quickly as possible”.

Rebuild

Luton Airport also revealed that the rebuild of the new four-storey car park will start later this year.

The replacement car park will accommodate 1,940 vehicles and feature a ground level drop-off zone to provide passenger drop-off, collection and parking options.

And in addition to meeting all current fire and safety regulatory requirements, the new car park will incorporate a fire suppressant system.

The rebuild is set to be complete in late 2025.

Alberto Martin, chief executive of Luton Airport, said: “The dismantling of the car park has been a precise and painstaking process and its proximity to passengers, buildings, aircraft and the Luton DART railway station has added to the project’s complexity.

“At the same time, we are working hard to deliver a number of passenger enhancements, including a second premium passenger lounge, several new restaurants and a spectacular mezzanine bar and diner.

“The airport is also on track to complete a £20m refurbishment of the security hall this summer featuring state-of-the art scanner technology to speed up security processing times, ensuring a simple and friendly passenger experience for everyone passing through the airport.”