Southend Airport for sale

In 2019 Southend Airport moved 2,035,535 passengers, a record figure. The prediction for 2020 was for even more growth.

And then came the pandemic.  For 2021 it was just 147,00 and last year even worse at 95,000 passengers.  

Esken, previously known as Stobart, bought the airport in 2008, and swiftly upgraded navigation, lighting and increased the runway by 300 metres to 1,856 metres enabling the latest Airbus 320 series and Boeing Max aircraft to operate. A new state-of-the-art air traffic control tower and mainline railway station were opened in 2011, followed by a Holiday Inn, its top floor restaurant offering spectacular views over the airport.  A new and well received airport terminal was opened at the same time including an adjoining railway station with services to London’s Liverpool Street station.  This was later extended.

According to The Times, the airport is now for sale with the big question unanswered.  Why haven’t the airlines returned, and with them passengers?  

This coming summer easyJet is offering just 18 flights per week, with Ryanair and Wizz, somewhat typically, disappearing off without even a thank you. Southend Airport has extensive engineering and other operations on its site.

Readers will note a somewhat desperate plea in last month’s TNU for an airline to take up the Alicante and Groningen routes.  Amsterdam returns in May with a flight time of less than one hour making the airport the nearest UK operation to a Continental gateway. SKYCAFÉ is open. WHSmith, World Duty Free and The Pilot Bar will reopen from May 1.

https://southendairport.com

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