Luton Airport is ready for summer rush says boss

Alberto Martin, Luton Airport chief executive, said the site had been able to recruit early for upcoming holidays

The boss of one of the UK's busiest airports said it was ready for the influx of passengers during the summer.

Earlier this month several flights were cancelled across the UK, with concerns this may be repeated.

But Luton Airport said airport staffing had not caused any cancellations and about 200 more security staff had been employed.

Its chief executive, Alberto Martin, said "hard work in the planning stage" allowed it to recruit ahead of summer.

Luton Airport had 18 million passengers in 2019 but numbers were significantly down during the pandemic

During the bank holiday weekend earlier this month EasyJet and Wizz Air, who both operate out of Luton, among other airports, cancelled dozens of flights.

Airlines have called on the government to issue special immigration visas to allow them to recruit overseas workers in the short term, but Transport Secretary Grant Shapps ruled out such a move.

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Mr Martin said: "We have been working very hard to ensure we recruit early and secure as many job opportunities as possible."

A recruitment day and training for prospective security staff was held by Luton Airport

He said the airport, which is the UK's fifth busiest, was working with Luton Borough Council to help get staff.

The airport has had "excellent feedback from our customers and [was] feeling ready to manage the more than five million customers we expect during the summer," he said.

It also held a recruitment day and training for prospective security staff as part of its ongoing recruitment process which started last year.

'It's brilliant'

Priti Deepak previously worked at Heathrow and was looking forward to starting at Luton Airport

One of those receiving training to become a member of the Luton's security staff was Priti Deepak who previously worked at Heathrow.

She said: "I like the buzz, being a people person I just enjoy being around and meeting people.

"It's different every day because of the people you meet, it's brilliant."