London Luton Airport (LTN) has announced a major runway resurfacing project that will see the airport close nightly for nearly five months, sparking concerns among freighter operators and express logistics firms that rely heavily on overnight operations.
The works will run from 3 November 2025 to 27 March 2026, with the runway shut Monday to Friday between 01:00 and 05:45 local time. The last departure will be at 23:40 and the final arrival at 23:45, before services resume at 05:45 each morning.
While weekend operations remain unaffected, the runway will also stay open during the busy Christmas peak (19 December – 6 January).
Temporary Downgrade to ILS
During the works, Luton’s Instrument Landing System (ILS) will be temporarily downgraded from CAT III to CAT I, limiting operations in poor weather and potentially increasing the risk of flight diversions — a key concern for express cargo operators handling time-critical shipments.
Freight Sector Impact
As one of the UK’s busiest hubs for express parcel and cargo flights, Luton plays a critical role in European e-commerce and next-day delivery supply chains. Logistics stakeholders warn that the strict nightly closures, combined with no flexibility on operating times, could disrupt time-sensitive cargo flows during the winter peak.
Airport officials, however, stress the resurfacing is “essential to ensure long-term safety and efficiency”, noting that the strict schedule will help keep the project on track.