London Luton
Airport
The busiest business aviation airport in the London area, 30 miles north of the centre. Several FBOs, a 7,093 foot runway, Level 3 slots, and a fee and enforcement regime worth understanding before you land.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Fact-checked against Icarus Jet fleet and airport operations data · Last updated 2 September 2026
The Airport
Luton at a glance
Luton carries the ICAO code EGGW and the identifier LTN. A single 7,093 foot runway at 526 feet elevation, about 30 miles north of central London, with rail to St Pancras from Luton Airport Parkway.
It handles more private jet movements than any other London airport, is ACL Level 3 slot coordinated, and requires mandatory handling through one of several FBOs.
The Money
Fees, and the penalties behind them
The most searched question about Luton is what a private jet actually pays, and the honest answer is more than most operators expect. Landing and parking charges are set by the airport, handling by the FBO, and out-of-hours surcharges apply. Our guide to Luton handling and parking fees sets out every component.
Luton also enforces. Penalties of up to 20,000 pounds were introduced for operational breaches including slot misuse and procedure infringements. Our note on the enforcement penalties explains what triggers them. A Luton schedule is adhered to, not adjusted on the day.
We price the fees into every Luton quote rather than letting them appear on the invoice.
Operating
Slots, runway and handling
Luton is Level 3 coordinated by ACL and every movement needs an allocated slot. Handling is mandatory through one of several FBOs, which means rates are worth comparing. Night movements are restricted under a summer regime shared with Stansted.
07/25 is 2,162 metres, about 7,093 feet, the shortest of the five commercial London airports. It takes the whole of business aviation comfortably; very large aircraft go to Stansted. Field elevation is 526 feet, fire cover Category 7.
The UK requires no landing permit for most private and charter flights, but a General Aviation Report must be filed with Border Force before arrival. We file it with the slot and the handling.
History
From 1938 to the busiest bizav field in London
Luton opened in 1938, served as an RAF fighter base during the war, and became a package holiday hub in the 1960s.
Business aviation grew alongside the scheduled operation, and the airport now handles more private jet movements than any other London field. That volume is why the FBO infrastructure is as deep as it is, and why the fee and enforcement regime has become as formal as it has.
Nearby
Luton and the London fields
London has more business aviation airports than any city in Europe. Luton is the default for most trips that are not specifically south or west.
EGLLLondon HeathrowEGKKLondon GatwickEGSSLondon StanstedEGLCLondon City
EGWURAF NortholtEGLFFarnboroughEGKBLondon Biggin HillEGTKLondon OxfordEGLDDenham Aerodrome
Stansted for very large aircraft and East Anglia. Farnborough for the south west and a quieter single-operator field. Biggin Hill for the south east with no slots. London City for the financial district. Oxford for the north west. Heathrow and Gatwick for scheduled connections.
Airport guides & index
Questions
Luton, answered
Can private jets use Luton?
Yes, and more of them do than at any other London airport. Luton is the highest volume business aviation base in the London area, with several FBOs and a 7,093 foot runway. It is ACL Level 3 slot coordinated and handling is mandatory, but general aviation is a core part of the operation.
What does a private jet actually pay at Luton?
More than most operators expect, and the fee structure is the single most searched question about the airport. Landing, parking and handling charges are set by the airport and the FBOs respectively, with out-of-hours surcharges, and they add up quickly for a night stop. Our guide to Luton handling and parking fees sets out the components; we price them into every Luton quote rather than leaving them to appear on the invoice.
What are the Luton enforcement penalties?
Luton introduced penalties of up to 20,000 pounds for operational breaches, including slot misuse and noise or procedure infringements. Our note on the enforcement penalties explains what triggers them. Practically, it means a Luton schedule has to be adhered to, not adjusted on the day.
How long is the runway at Luton?
07/25 is 2,162 metres, about 7,093 feet, by 151 feet, in asphalt. Field elevation is 526 feet. The runway is the shortest of the five commercial London airports, and while it takes the whole of business aviation comfortably, very large aircraft go to Stansted.
Does Luton need a slot?
Yes. Luton is Level 3 coordinated by ACL and every movement needs an allocated slot. Handling is mandatory. Night movements are restricted under a summer regime shared in framework with Stansted.
Why is Luton the default London business aviation airport?
Infrastructure and position. Several competing FBOs, hangarage, maintenance, and 30 miles north of the centre with rail to St Pancras. For most London trips that are not specifically south or west, Luton is where the aircraft goes.
Luton or Farnborough?
Luton for the north and for a choice of FBOs at competitive rates. Farnborough for the south west, for a single-operator dedicated business aviation field, and for a quieter arrival. Both are excellent; the destination usually decides.
Is ground handling mandatory at Luton?
Yes, through one of the FBOs on the field. With several to choose from, handling and parking rates are worth comparing, which is part of why the fee question comes up so often.
Do you need a permit to fly into the UK?
No landing permit for most private and charter flights, but a General Aviation Report must be filed with UK Border Force before arrival. We file the GAR, the slot and the handling together.
What is the history of Luton?
The airport opened in 1938, served as an RAF fighter base in the war, and became a package holiday hub in the 1960s. Business aviation grew alongside, and the airport now handles more private jet movements than any other London field.
What time zone is London in?
Greenwich Mean Time in winter and British Summer Time from late March to late October, which is UTC+0 and UTC+1 respectively.
Get Your Number
Request a London charter
Send the dates and the aircraft. We file the ACL slot, compare FBO handling and parking rates, price the fees and surcharges into the quote up front, and file the GAR, so nothing arrives later as a surprise.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203 or email charter@icarusjet.com. The desk is staffed 24/7.