More than six new flight routes will be coming to an Essex airport next summer as easyJet announced huge investment in the county. Customers of Southend Airport will be able to fly out to new places such as Pisa in Italy, Tunisia and Turkey from May 2025.
The airline made the announcement this morning (May 16) that it would be bringing back its base to the airport, with the new flights setting off from next spring. The airport said that summer 2024 is expected to be its biggest yet and that plans for this expansion have been in the works for several years.
The base at Southend Airport will be the airline's tenth in the UK, and will see three 186-seat A320neo aircraft, which bosses today said were quieter than previous plane models. The six new flight routes will be to Pisa in Italy, Gran Canaria, Dalaman and Antalya in Turkey, Marrakech in Morocco, as well as Enfidha in Tunisia.
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It marks the first time Southend Airport will operate flights to Africa and Turkey. easyJet holidays will be on sale from tomorrow with departures from May 1, 2025; package holidays will be available seven days a week. EasyJet and the airport have not confirmed how many flights will depart per day, nor specific times that they will fly, as this is still being planned. Ali Gayward, UK Country Manager for easyJet, told EssexLive she hoped the flights would be priced below the average of £65 for an easyJet flight in the UK.
The airline already serves international routes from Southend to popular beach and city destinations Amsterdam, Geneva, Faro, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga and Paris Charles de Gaulle and has flown over seven million customers from London Southend since operations began in 2012.
John Upton , CEO of London Southend Airport, said: "We’re thrilled to welcome an easyJet base to London Southend, supporting and creating hundreds of jobs locally as well as convenient, new and returning connections to many popular leisure and city destinations.
"This move is indicative of the demand from people in the east of London, Essex and the wider East Anglia region who now have greater opportunities to choose to travel through our well connected, quick and easy airport. easyJet passengers will start their holiday sooner at London Southend as they relax and discover our award-winning terminal experience.
"Our dedicated on-site rail station is less than one hour from central London; only 43 minutes from Stratford, London with connections to the Elizabeth Line; and only 100 paces from the terminal door."
Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, said: "We are delighted to be announcing another three-aircraft base in the UK, at London Southend Airport. This will create hundreds of jobs and provide more choice for consumers with new routes and package holidays.
"Our continued growth and investment in the UK highlights the importance of the market where this year we will operate more flying than ever before with our customers choosing our flights and holidays because of our trusted brand, unrivalled network and great value fares."
