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December 6, 2024

London Luton Airport Hosts Special Tour for Local Foster Families

London Luton Airport hosted a special tour for local foster families, offering them a unique behind-the-scenes experience. The tour provided an opportunity to explore the airport’s operations, meet staff, and learn about aviation. This initiative aimed to create memorable experiences for foster families, fostering a sense of inclusion and connection within the community.

London Luton Airport (LLA), in partnership with easyJet’s ground handling provider, DHL, recently organized a unique behind-the-scenes tour for children and young adults from local foster families. The special event, designed to provide a memorable experience, was carried out in collaboration with Mockingbird, an innovative initiative by The Fostering Network. Mockingbird creates a family-style support system by linking foster families together into “constellations,” with a central hub home managed by a trained foster carer who offers ongoing guidance to the participating families.

The tour was attended by 15 children, ranging from ages 6 to 18, along with their foster carers and other adults supporting them from Mockingbird hubs in south and west Hertfordshire. The airport’s diverse teams, including those from Guest Experience, Security, Airside Operations, the Fire Service, and Ground Handling, joined forces to deliver an engaging and impactful experience for the families.

As part of the tour, each child received a personalized “boarding pass” to a destination of their choice, which allowed them to explore the terminal and learn more about the airport’s operations. The children and their families then embarked on a private “Flight Mockingbird” journey, which included an airfield tour and a special visit to the airport’s fire station. The hands-on tour provided the participants with an in-depth look at the airport’s facilities and operations, sparking their imaginations and curiosity about aviation.

Following the event, one attendee shared their gratitude, expressing that the experience was “such a memorable day that will stay with us.” They noted how the visit inspired their foster son to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot and how it brought smiles to many of the other children from the Mockingbird hubs. The comment highlighted the significant impact the event had on the children’s aspirations and sense of connection.

Clare Armstrong, Head of Guest Experience at London Luton Airport, reflected on the success of the event, noting that it was an incredibly rewarding experience for the airport’s teams. She remarked that the tour allowed the children and their foster families to gain a deeper understanding of the airport’s operations, and was thrilled to learn that some of the children were now considering a future in aviation after the tour. Armstrong expressed pride in how well the teams worked together to create such a memorable experience for the families.

This initiative underscores London Luton Airport’s ongoing commitment to community engagement and inclusivity. It provides valuable exposure to children and young adults who may not otherwise have access to such experiences, while also highlighting the importance of fostering dreams and creating opportunities. The event aligns with LLA’s mission of supporting local communities and making a positive impact on the lives of individuals.

In recognition of its commitment to delivering excellent customer service, particularly for vulnerable customers, London Luton Airport’s Guest Experience Team earned two prestigious awards at the UK Customer Experience™ Awards in October 2024. They were awarded Gold for Best Customer Experience for Vulnerable Customers and named Team of the Year (Large Company). These accolades reflect the airport’s dedication to delivering exceptional service and experiences for all visitors, including the foster families who participated in the special tour.

Through initiatives like these, London Luton Airport continues to strengthen its ties with the local community, fostering a spirit of inclusion and positive action. The airport’s commitment to creating lasting memories for foster families and encouraging young minds to explore new possibilities reflects its role as a community leader, contributing to both the personal growth of individuals and the overall well-being of the community.

For questions or comments write to writers@bostonbrandmedia.com

Source: Travelandtourworld

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