A newspaper has launched a campaign against proposed expansions to Luton airport.

Weekly title The Comet based in Stevenage launched its ‘Say No to Luton Expansion’ campaign to encourage people to comment on plans by London Luton Airport Ltd which propose to double the number of passengers using the facility.

Plans include an expansion of the aircraft and taxi standing areas, new road access, extensions to the passenger terminal and a multi-storey car park.

The airport currently has a capacity of 9.6 million people per annum, but it wants to increase that to 18 million.

Comet editor Darren Isted said: “The expansion would mean three times as many flights, bigger planes, and night flights.”

He said the company had been vague when asked questions about the plans such as whether they would result in more night flights.

Reporter Laura Burge has been co-ordinating the campaign and the newspaper will start a petition when the consultation ends on 26 March.

Added Darren:  “Night flights and early morning flights are felt by people outside the area.

“We have had letters and about three or four different campaign groups have come forward from other areas. These people may be outside of the area but the message is the same.”

The campaign has been supported by Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland and North East Herts MP Oliver Heald who are encouraging people to get involved in the consultation.

A number of campaign groups have also joined the fight including No More Flights, Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise, and Hertfordshire Against Luton Expansion.

John Davies from LADACAN, which is the longest running campaign group against the Luton Airport expansion, said: “Certainly, we are still against this. We think enough is enough, we think people have suffered long enough as it is.

“I think the newspaper campaign is helpful, and it’s important for residents. We’re very pleased about it.”

To take part in the consultation, visit www.futureLuToN.co.uk