First flight from Southend’s new terminal

The new passenger terminal building at Southend Airport has welcomed its first passengers, the BBC reports. The £10m terminal was used for the first time by passengers boarding an Aer Arann flight to Waterford in the Irish Republic.

Budget airline easyJet will launch flights from the airport in April, with passenger numbers expected to top one million a year and grow to two million by 2020. An official opening of the new terminal will be held on March 5.

For more information on this airport news story visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-17190588

Efficiency is key to the haulage firm’s way of running airport

A SENSE of pride emanates from William Stobart as he surveys Southend Airport’s new £10million terminal.

The 49-year-old chief operating officer of Stobart Group has overseen the aviation equivalent of the Industrial Revolution since his firm bought the airport four years ago.

Back then, it was little more than a haven for amateur flying enthusiasts and cargo flights.

Now, with more than £100million invested in new infrastructure and commercial airlines queuing up to take advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities, it is a different story.

He said: “I was always confident we could make a difference here. We had a vision for what we wanted to do and we have gone out and done that.”

Stobart stunned the aviation industry when it stumped up £21million for the airport in December 2008.

At the time, many experts predicted Global Infrastructure Partners, the owner of London City Airport, would be the buyer. Stobart, known for its haulage business, had no history in aviation and no track record of success.

But Mr Stobart, the son of the firm’s iconic founder, Eddie, was confident it could take on the challenge.

He said: “When you look at airports all around the world, all you see is inefficiency.

Read more: http://www.southendstandard.co.uk/news/ ... g_airport/

Southend Airport expansion plans passed

Plans for an extension to Southend Airport's Terminal, which includes five more aircraft stands, was passed at a council meeting late last week. There were some strong objections from residents, however the key factor for most councillors was that the limit of 53,300 (plus 5,300 cargo) aircraft movements a year would still apply.

One of the ward councillors, Keith Gordon, supported the plans whilst neither of the other ward councillors wanted to speak, meaning a vote was then taken very quickly. The application was passed overwhelmingly, with only two councillors against.

For more information on this airport news story visit: http://onlinefocus.org/?cat=98

easyJet expansion and flights to Berlin and Krakow come hot on the heels of terminal extension news

easyJet has announced it is accelerating the development of its London Southend base with the introduction of an additional aircraft to the three already based at Southend.

The airline has also announced two brand new routes – Berlin (Germany) and Krakow (Poland) - as part of its 2013 flight programme from the Essex airport.

easyJet will fly a year-round service to the key European business centre of Berlin, six times a week. In addition the airline will introduce a four times weekly service to Krakow. Both routes will start on 17 June 2013. Beyond that, additional capacity will be available on some of the existing routes which have proven highly popular this summer.

These two new routes bring the number of destinations served by easyJet from the airport to 13 - the airline already flies toAlicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Belfast, Faro, Ibiza, Jersey, Majorca and Malaga from London Southend, with Geneva and Venice both starting soon. The new routes go on sale from Thursday 1 November at www.easyJet.com

Hugh Aitken, easyJet’s UK Commercial Manager says “Basing an additional aircraft in Southend is testament the airport’s success since we launched flights here and demonstrates our commitment to growing our presence here. Recent customer satisfaction research with our passengers has borne out what we had believed would make the airport a popular choice - its fast and convenient transport links and easy and quick transfer through the airport has made it a firm favourite with our passengers. easyJet is committed to making travel easy and affordable for all and I’m sure these two new city destinations are going to be a huge hit with holidaymakers as well as helping to serve demand from passengers travelling on business. ”

This easyJet news comes just days after it was announced work on an extension to the terminal at London Southend Airport - that will enable more than three hundred additional new, local jobs to be created - will get underway in early November. The £10 million extensionis to ensure those high standards of service passengers are currently enjoying are not compromised as passenger numbers grow towards 2million per year by 2020. Work is due to be completed just before Christmas 2013.

London Southend Airport Managing Director Alastair Welch says “We are delighted that easyJet has chosen to accelerate its growth plans and to base another aircraft with us, which is evidence of their commitment to the airport and the success of our partnership. I am sure these new routes will be extremely popular locally, and will further build on our growing reputation as an airport of choice for passengers inbound to Essex, London and the South East.”

He added “With the fantastic new London Southend Airport Holiday Inn now open, the terminal extension getting underway and now this further announcement of expansion, there is a genuine sense of excitement amongst staff and visitors that the airport is really taking off. We look forward to welcoming more passengers to enjoy the unique airport experience we offer here at London Southend.”

Source: http://www.southendairport.com/news/lat ... d-airport/