Luton airport has won the green light from government for expansion plans that will increase capacity to 18 million passengers a year.
The airport said the plans could mean 45,000 extra flights and more than 5,000 new jobs.
Airport managing director Glyn Jones said the government’s approval after a “thorough process” was “a real vote of confidence in the airport and its future”.
“The opportunities it brings for the local economy, in terms of jobs and investment, are significant and Luton can now press ahead with making its local airport bigger and better, while remaining a good neighbour,” he said.
“[It underlines] the determination of our new owners, Ardian and Aena, to develop and radically improve London Luton and deliver a better airport experience for our passengers in the years to come.”
The airport, which is the UK’s fifth largest, handled 9.7 million passengers last year.
The plans include building a new dual carriageway to the central terminal area, an expanded terminal, a new parallel taxiway to accommodate the increase in passengers and a new multi-storey car park.
Campaigners against the expansion have said it will bring an unacceptable increase in noise and air pollution.