Project Phoenix

In October 2023, London Luton Airport faced a major incident when a fire broke out in Terminal Car Park 2—a multi-storey structure accommodating approximately 2,000 vehicles. The blaze caused severe structural damage, rendered the building unsafe and resulted in the loss of a substantial number of vehicles. The challenge was multifaceted: safely demolish the compromised structure, recover around 1,300 trapped vehicles, contain and remove contamination, and restore critical passenger infrastructure in time for the airport’s busy summer period.

G&T was appointed to deliver Cost Management, Project Management, and Contract Administration services. Working closely with London Luton Airport’s team, we led the safe demolition of the damaged car park, oversaw the recovery operation for the trapped vehicles, and developed a compliant procurement strategy. We managed contractor selection through the Crown Commercial Services Framework and provided commercial support throughout. Our team also fast-tracked the delivery of a new drop-off zone and applied value engineering principles to materially reduce the costs of the replacement multi-storey car park, all while supporting the airport’s insurance claim process.

G&T successfully enabled the safe removal of the fire-damaged structure and vehicle recovery operation, while delivering a fully operational drop-off zone ahead of the peak travel season. The replacement car park is progressing with strong cost control and clear governance in place. Through collaborative working, smart procurement and robust commercial leadership, G&T has helped Luton Airport maintain operations, manage risk, and lay the groundwork for long-term infrastructure resilience.