Luton Airport has scrapped plans to build new runways which would have allowed it to accommodate 30 million passengers a year.
A spokeswoman for Luton Aiport confirmed it has “no plans to build more runways or terminals” and that future growth would be restricted to existing infrastructure.
Greenpeace aviation campaigner Emily Armistead said Luton’s decision is “good news for the climate”.
She added: “If the government is serious about tackling climate change it should step in and put a stop to plans for expansion at other airports.
But a British Airports Authority spokesman said its airports, which include Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, will stand by their expansion plans in order to meet anticipated passenger growth.
A 2006 government report on the future of air transport forecast that the 228 million passengers passing through UK airports per year in 2005 would increase to 490 million by 2030.
Friends of the Earth aviation campaigner Richard Dyer told Travel Weekly he believed Luton’s decision is due in part to the local community’s strong opposition to expansion and signs that we are seeing the end of the low cost carrier boom.
“A few of the leading low cost airlines recently posted less than enthusiastic financial results. As awareness of the environment continues to grow, you will see more and more travellers opting for greener forms of transport,” said Dyer.
A spokeswoman for EasyJet said the budget carrier welcomed Luton’s proposal to make the best use of its existing infrastructure.