EXCITEMENT is building ahead of easyJet’s return to Southend Airport on Monday, with residents and airport bosses looking fresh flights to exciting new destinations.
The reopening of the airport’s permanent easyJet base follows its coronavirus related closure in 2020 and will see a fleet of three of the budget-airline’s planes stationed in Southend.
Its return is set to provide new routes to destinations including Marrakech, Pisa and Malta, and create hundreds of jobs in the process.
“I’m over the moon – it will be just like the old days,” said self-confessed Southend Airport “superfan”, Susie Allen.
“When driving down Warners Bridge, you would sometimes see a fleet of four orange liveried easyJet aircraft all lined up in row – precious!”
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The re-opening of the base will bring the number of routes from the airport up to 20, with a mic of beach, winter and city destinations on offer.
Bosses recently announced the introduction of three new easyJet routes to Barcelona, Salzburg and Lanzarote, in addition to domestic flights to Newquay in Cornwall, provided by Eastern Airways.
A spokesperson for the airport said: “We’re excited and ready to handle the expected increase in passengers when our new three aircraft easyJet base launches to 16 summer destinations on Monday.
“We have recruited dozens of additional people, many of which are very local to the airport.
“Our terminal facilities are prepared, including our revamped executive lounge alongside our restaurants and bar.”
The airport suffered a devastating blow during the pandemic when it was dangerously close to collapse due to passenger numbers falling from 2.1million in 2019-20, to just 90,000 in 2021-22.
During this period, Southend Airport faced a £21.5 million loss as the number of travellers fell to unprecedented lows.
However, in the years since, airport bosses have worked hard to turn its fortunes around.
Following the opening of the easyJet base on Monday, Southend passengers will also soon be able to begin their flights to Newquay, known as the “surf capital” of the UK.
The new route will be operated as part of a new partnership with Eastern Airways, with fares starting from £59.99 one-way.
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