The new executive Fixed Base Operation (FBO) at London Luton Airport, architecturally designed by RPS for Harrods Aviation, is nearing completion and is due to open for business this year. The prestigious two-storey facility provides executive and business customers with over 5000ft² of high quality lounges, conference and meeting rooms with direct escorted access to ramp areas.

The new £6million FBO integrates landside and airside activities through the conversion and refurbishment of an existing aircraft hangar and includes ramp, administration, catering, customer services and crew facilities incorporating overnight crew accommodation. The large open span of the original hangar space is used effectively to create spacious and comfortable lounge areas with dramatic views across the taxiway.

The design considers the sensitive security aspects of airside development, both within the FBO and externally with the security fencing. The Restricted Zone fence line was moved temporarily so that the whole construction site could become a landside development. Furthermore, a number of options were explored to segregate the movement of passengers and screened baggage through the building to the ramp areas. The layout facilitates screened baggage being taken to the ramp areas without infringing on the lounge areas.

The VIP lounge has to be a flexible space able to cater for a wide range of customer scenarios from individual passengers through to larger charter flights of up to 100 passengers. The design brief was to create intimacy and comfort whilst retaining an open ambience.

High quality graphical and other visual support for promotion of the new facility has been produced including 3D internal and external perspectives, computer generated “walkthrough” and a scale model of the facilities, which is being used internationally at exhibitions.

For more information please contact:
RPS Newark – Planning & Development
T:+ 44 (0) 1636 605 700