• Polish
• French
• Italian
• Spanish
• German
• Greek
• Slovak

London Luton Airport Invests In New Environmentally Friendly Buses

Published: 07 May 2008

London Luton Airport has replaced four of its airfield buses with innovative new fuel efficient models as part of its commitment to reduce environmental impact. These four new vehicles are just the beginning of a total replacement programme for all buses.

The COBUS 3000 buses, used to transport passengers between terminal and aircraft, are designed with an aluminium body to make the vehicle light and a smaller engine to cope with the very low maximum speeds on the airfield as well as meeting the very latest requirements for emission testing.  The resulting fuel efficiency can be as much as four to five litres of diesel less per operating hour.

Another benefit of the aluminium construction is the avoidance of corrosion, therefore extending the lifetime of the vehicles, whilst the combined design of chassis, body and engine management system further assists to reduce maintenance requirements.  

The buses have wide doors on both sides of the vehicle, along with "kneel down" facilities to help wheelchair users, the elderly and families with pushchairs.  Anti-slip flooring, protective glass and modern temperature management also improve the passenger experience whilst offering more efficient transfers in comfortable surroundings.

[Ends]

For more information, please contact:
London Luton Airport Press Office 07714 728035

Notes to Editors:
London Luton Airport is one of the UK's largest airports with passenger numbers nearing ten million in 2007, an increase of nearly 400 per cent over the last decade.  Employing close to 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 Scheduled, Aer Arann, Silverjet, Thomsonfly, SkyEurope, First Choice, XL Airways, Flybe and Thomas Cook operate from the airport, departing to over 90 destinations including services to Europe, Africa and North America.

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 sets 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.
 
As well as outlining the Airport's priorities for the next five years, the document also summarises its commitments for 2008, which include the publishing of a revised environmental policy, practical support for at least 20 local community projects and the development of a schools outreach programme.