News from December 2009

University of Bedfordshire students see theory in action at London Luton Airport

Published: 21 December 2009

Students from the University of Bedfordshire gained a powerful insight into the aviation industry in November, thanks to the team at London Luton Airport.

Students were invited to hear presentations from senior management at the airport covering a variety of topics including airport development, marketing strategy and corporate social responsibility.
 
Sian Pearce, Community Relations Executive at the airport said: 'We run visits like this to help students to put theory into practice and gain an insight into how the business operates' We regularly welcome a variety of groups to the Airport and tailor trips to meet their needs. We encouraged the students from the University to share their views and let us know what they think London Luton Airport should be doing for the future.'
 
The University of Bedfordshire has a close association with the Airport and in recent years a number of students have benefited from visits to the airport to complement their studies. Edgar Dang, a teacher and English Language visiting scholar, said: 'I learned a lot about the business management and marketing from the visit. It was very informative.'
 
Patricia Murchie, Director of Communications for the University added:  'Students were delighted to be given such a rare and fascinating insight into how a large and successful airport functions. The Airport team explained clearly how the business operates, but also how the Airport interacts with its local community'
 
 

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For more information please contact:
London Luton Airport Press Office - 07714 728035
press.office@ltn.aero
 


Notes to Editors
London Luton Airport is one of the UK's largest airports and carried over 10 million passengers in 2008, employing over 500 staff, the airport is a major economic driver for the region, as well as a major base for 'low cost' or 'no frills' air travel. 
 
easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Monarch, Thomson, EL AL, Blue Air, Aer Arann, Flybe, Wind Jet and now Danubewings operate from the airport, departing to over 95 destinations including services to Europe, Africa, and Asia, with onward connections to Mumbai, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Beijing and Bangkok via Tel Aviv.
 
The airport is operated and developed by a consortium of which Abertis Infraestructuras, a leading European infrastructure provider, is a 90 per cent majority shareholder and Aena Internacional, the international business arm of Aena - the Spanish national airport and air traffic control organisation, is a 10 per cent shareholder. 

In January 2008 London Luton Airport launched its Community Engagement Strategy, which set out the Airport's formal commitments to the community up to 2012.  The strategy focuses on three action areas, 'A Better Environment', 'A Vibrant Neighbourhood' and 'A Growing Economy', identifying priority programmes in each one. 

The London Luton Airport Annual Report, published in January 2009, outlines new and more challenging commitments for Community Engagement in 2009 that include a 5% increase in recycling, commitment to a £50,000 Airport 'Community Fund' and employee training that will ensure 70% of all London Luton Airport Operations Ltd. managers and supervisory staff complete NVQ Level 2 personal development training.

London Luton Airport launched its new Community Trust Fund in January 2009.  The fund has been established to support local community initiatives that positively contribute towards the aims and objectives of the Airport's Community Engagement Strategy.

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