London Luton Airport and GXO launch first airside consolidation centre to streamline deliveries

Consolidation centre to centralise all airside deliveries

London Luton Airport will route all airside deliveries into a single, GXO-operated consolidation centre, screening and processing hundreds of thousands of consignments annually as passenger numbers climb (17.5 million in 2025, up from 16.7 million in 2024). The hub will accept goods for more than 40 shops and restaurants as well as items supporting airside operations, reducing multiple direct deliveries to terminal docks.

Operational footprint and infrastructure changes

The centre is being built within one of three hangars repurposed under an £11.5 million refurbishment programme that also creates two new aircraft engineering and repair hangars. The project is expected to generate around 150 new jobs at the airport and convert legacy space into a purpose-built logistics node, tightening security and streamlining flows within the airport perimeter.

Key operational metrics

Service model and benefits for concessionaires

GXO Logistics will check, screen and consolidate inbound deliveries — from high-end fashion and perfume to electronics and food service supplies. The service model consolidates items into fewer, more predictable movements towards airside points, improving on-time delivery and reducing the number of vehicle trips close to the terminal. For retailers, this translates into consistent stock levels and improved shelf availability.

• Centralised intake: Single security-screened hub for all airside deliveries
• Real-time zichtbaarheid: Track-and-trace notifications and STREAM alerts
• Dedicated support: 24/7 customer service and direct contact to the consolidation centre
• Dynamic scheduling: Ability to prioritise multi-temperature and time-sensitive consignments

STREAM: the bespoke IT backbone

GXO will deploy its bespoke IT system, STREAM (Secure, Technical, Real Time, Electronic Alerts and Messaging), to manage service levels and provide performance analytics. STREAM enables:

• Real-time monitoring of inbound loads and delivery windows
• Dynamic re-sequencing of dispatches to safeguard perishable or priority items
• Automated alerts for exceptions to speed troubleshooting
• Actionable insights to improve stocking, compliance, and labour planning

Why the IT layer matters for airport logistics

Airports operate on tight cycles where even a small delay can cascade — boarding times, catering loads, and retail replenishment windows are all time-sensitive. STREAM’s data enables planners to reduce idle waiting, reduce last-minute rushes, and prioritise deliveries that directly affect passenger experience and revenue-per-passenger metrics.

How consolidation shifts the local supply chain

Consolidation at Luton changes the supply-chain choreography within the airport perimeter. Instead of disparate suppliers and couriers each attempting to access airside points, a single hub receives, checks and sequenced-dispatches cargo. That cuts vehicle movements by consolidating loads onto scheduled airport transfer runs, which can reduce congestion, CO2 emissions and security screening duplication.

On a practical level: fewer small vans jockeying for limited loading bays means less queuing, fewer abortive trips, and more predictable staffing requirements for both concessionaires and airport operations. It’s the logistics equivalent of “many birds, one stone.”

Operational challenges and mitigation

Centralisation isn’t a silver bullet. Risks to manage include:

1. Peak demand spikes: Tourism surges and new retail openings increase throughput requirements.
2. Temperature-controlled flows: Multi-temperature supply chains require segregated handling and precise timing.
3. IT integration: Seamless data exchange between suppliers, GXO STREAM, and LLA systems is essential.

Mitigations include scalable labour rosters, investment in segregated cold-chain bays, and API-driven integrations between concessionaire systems and STREAM.

Wider implications for airport and regional logistics

From a freight and distribution standpoint, Luton’s consolidation centre is part of a broader trend: airports are becoming micro-hubs for short-haul distribution and retail replenishment as passenger numbers climb. Centralised nodes relieve pressure on terminal access points and create aggregated demand profiles that carriers and forwarders can plan around.

Practical takeaways for carriers and suppliers

Suppliers and couriers should expect to update manifest protocols, label standards and delivery time slots. Freight forwarders will increasingly need to align palletisation and packing to consolidation schedules. For small operators, partnering with third-party logistics providers or using platforms that aggregate freight options can smooth the transition.

Summary of strategic effects

The consolidation centre will likely improve retail fill-rates, reduce terminal congestion, and enhance security screening efficiency. It establishes a repeatable operational model that other mid-sized airports could replicate: centralise intake, digitise tracking, and scale labour dynamically against demand.

Highlights and a word of caution

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To sum up: centralising airside deliveries at London Luton Airport under GXO’s operation addresses the twin pressures of rising passenger volumes and growing delivery complexity. The consolidation centre, supported by STREAM and housed in a repurposed hangar under an £11.5 million programme, tightens security, reduces terminal traffic and improves retail and operational availability. For logistics operators and suppliers, this means adapting to scheduled dispatches, tighter IT integration and opportunities to reduce idle time and redundant trips. Whether you’re moving lading, freight, pallets or bulky items, the move signals a shift toward smarter airport distribution — more efficient shipment cycles, lower haulage duplication, and better data-driven decision-making across transport, shipping and forwarding channels. GetTransport.com aligns with these goals by offering reliable, cost-effective options for courier, moving and international transport needs, helping to simplify relocation, housemove, and bulky-item delivery in an increasingly connected logistics landscape.