Ryebridge managing director Sean Scully has highlighted the benefits of expanding London Luton Airport in the face of a potential legal challenge.
Campaign group LADACAN (Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise) claim the Development Consent Order ignored environmental concerns when granting approval.
The DCO allows LLA to expand from 19 million to 32 million passengers a year, which the airport’s owners Luton Rising say will create up to 11,000 new jobs and unlock an additional £1.5 billion in the economy every year.
As a local employer, we recognise that airport expansion will unlock investment and additional funds for public services and local communities, boosting Luton’s economy by creating jobs, enhancing skills development, and supporting the local charitable sector.
Speaking on BBC Three Counties’ JVS Show, Sean told presenter Jonathan Vernon Smith that the opportunities expansion brings would be significant to the town and wider region.
“We’ve been around Luton now for 16 years, and in this time it’s been a changing landscape, especially with recent events at Vauxhall, which are very damaging to the local area.
“We’re a Luton business, we’ve worked in and around the airport, and as a company we’ve got a massive supply chain which we procure locally, so it’s not just about Ryebridge and the airport, it's about the opportunities for them as well.
“I know that 150 local businesses and 10,000 local people signed a letter in support of expansion, and ultimately we are an island and there is a demand from people to fly.
“In my view if Luton can take advantage of that opportunity it would be fantastic for the community in the local area. All airports are looking at sustainable transport – we work at Bristol and lots of different airports – and they’re all on this journey from carbon neutral to zero.”
