Partnering for community success

Over the past few weeks, London Luton Airport (LLA) has hosted two events that highlight our partnership approach to making a positive difference in the local community.

The first of these was a hugely successful job fair held at the University of Bedfordshire which attracted almost 800 university students and local job seekers looking to take their first steps towards a career in aviation.

The event involved collaboration with several key partners including Luton Council, the DWP and of course the university itself. Attendees had the opportunity to meet with members of our engineering, IT, security and airfield operations teams, as well as employers from across the airport - highlighting the diverse range of career pathways the airport can offer.

For everyone at LLA, events such as this are a reminder of the airport’s vital role as an economic driver for the town and the wider region. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, LLA directly provided more than 10,000 jobs and supported over 17,000 more, adding ￡1.1billion to the regional economy.

Last year, 35% of our total supply chain spend was within a 20-mile radius of the airport, a figure we’re always aiming to improve.

Delivering economic benefit through the local supply chain is another key priority for us. Last year, 35% of our total supply chain spend was within a 20-mile radius of the airport, a figure we’re always aiming to improve. That’s why our procurement team hosted a networking forum for local businesses looking to learn more about bidding for contracts at LLA.?

This event opened the door to local suppliers looking to join the hundreds of local businesses that already work with the airport, either directly on-site or through the supply of goods and services. Almost 70 businesses came along to meet with members of London Luton Airport , Luton Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council procurement teams and Luton Rising representatives. We were delighted to raise over ￡6,000 for LLA’s charity partners, Luton Foodbank and East Anglian Air Ambulance, through ticket sales for the event.

These events are just two recent examples of the way in which LLA is working with partners to ensure that our influence extends beyond our own operations, delivering employment opportunities and economic benefit across our local communities.

I am proud of the difference we make and I look forward to working with the community in building upon that success.?