GXO Logistics has announced a new partnership with London Luton Airport that aims to reshape how goods move behind the scenes at one of the UK’s busiest aviation hubs. The logistics giant will operate the airport’s first dedicated consolidation centre, a facility designed to screen and manage every delivery heading airside, from retail stock to operational supplies.
The move comes as passenger numbers continue to climb. In 2025 alone, the airport handled more than 17.5 million travellers, up from 16.7 million the previous year.
With rising footfall comes a surge in deliveries, and the new centre is intended to streamline the handling of hundreds of thousands of shipments while improving efficiency, security, and sustainability.
Martin Cooper, Managing Director at GXO UK and Ireland, said the project reflects the growing importance of consolidation hubs in modern aviation logistics. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in complex logistics environments including airport operations GXO plans to make delivery flows more automated, secure, and efficient.
From luxury fashion and cosmetics to electronics and restaurant supplies, the centre will securely process virtually every item passengers encounter inside the terminal, as well as goods supporting airside operations.
According to Neil Thompson, the airport’s Chief Operations Officer, the new purpose-built facility offers a smarter way to manage deliveries to more than 40 shops and restaurants especially as new retail openings continue to expand passenger choice.
The consolidation centre will be housed in one of three refurbished hangars as part of an £11.5 million upgrade programme that also includes new aircraft engineering and repair facilities. The wider project is expected to generate around 150 new jobs at the airport.
Retailers and concessionaires are set to benefit from enhanced logistics support, including real-time tracking, direct communication with the centre, and round-the-clock assistance aimed at improving delivery reliability and troubleshooting.
The initiative marks a significant expansion of GXO’s airport logistics footprint across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, where the company has been operating airport consolidation centres since 2006.
About GXO Logistics
GXO Logistics, Inc. is the world’s largest pure-play contract logistics provider, strategically positioned to benefit from the rapid expansion of ecommerce, automation, and outsourced supply chain solutions.
The company operates at a scale designed to meet the evolving demands of global commerce. More than 150,000 team members work across over 1,000 facilities covering more than 200 million square feet.
Serving many of the world’s leading blue-chip brands, GXO focuses on solving complex logistics challenges through advanced technology, data-driven supply chain solutions, and high-efficiency ecommerce operations.
Its approach combines speed, scalability, and innovation to help businesses manage increasingly sophisticated distribution networks.
Headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, the company maintains a strong global presence and actively shares updates through platforms such as LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, alongside information available on its official website.
About London Luton Airport
London Luton Airport (LLA) ranks among the UK’s busiest aviation hubs and is operated by a consortium led by majority shareholder AENA the world’s largest airport operator alongside infrastructure investment specialist InfraBridge.
The airport hosts a strong mix of airlines including Jet2, easyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair, TUI Airways, FlyOne, SunExpress and El Al, offering extensive European and international connectivity.
Uniquely, the airport is owned for community benefit by Luton Rising, a company wholly owned by Luton Council. Since 1998, more than £500 million generated through the airport has been reinvested into frontline public services, charities, and community initiatives.
Accessibility is another major strength. The dedicated Luton Airport Express connects central London to the airport in around 30 minutes, running from St Pancras International to Luton Airport Parkway station.
From there, passengers Airport transfer seamlessly via the electrically powered Luton DART, reaching the terminal in under four minutes.
Recognition for performance and sustainability has followed. In 2024, LLA was named European Airport of the Year in the 10 to 25 million passenger category by ACI EUROPE, while in 2025 it received the top “Very Good” accessibility rating from the Civil Aviation Authority. Environmental progress has also been acknowledged through Level 4 status in the Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme.
Sustainability credentials extend further: with a five-star rating and maximum score of 100, the airport has been recognised as a sector leader for four consecutive years by the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark.
Beyond aviation, LLA remains a major economic driver in Bedfordshire, supporting around 28,000 jobs and contributing approximately £830 million annually to the local economy.
It also prioritises regional business engagement. In 2024, about 60% of supply-chain spending went to more than 300 businesses within 25 miles of the airport.
