EasyJet has announced plans to relaunch its base at London Southend Airport, marking a significant return five years after the base was closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The relaunch will take place in March 2025 and will see three 186-seat A320 neo aircraft based at the airport.
EasyJet originally launched its base at Southend in 2012 following the opening of the airport’s new terminal building and extended runway. However, in August 2020, the airline confirmed the closure of its bases at Stansted, Southend, and Newcastle due to the pandemic. EasyJet resumed flights from Southend in May 2022 and currently operates routes to Amsterdam, Paris CDG, Faro, Geneva, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca.
The relaunch will introduce six new routes from Southend to Pisa, Gran Canaria, Dalaman, Antalya, Marrakech, and Enfidha. EasyJet has also indicated that additional routes will be announced in the coming weeks.
John Upton, CEO of London Southend Airport, expressed his enthusiasm about the relaunch: “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.”
Currently, EasyJet is the only scheduled airline serving Southend, with Bulgaria’s BH Air set to launch charter flights to Burgas next month. Ryanair ceased operations from Southend in November 2021. Aeroitalia had plans to launch flights between Southend and Milan Bergamo this spring, but these plans were dropped in February before the route could be inaugurated.
The relaunch of the EasyJet base at Southend highlights the airport’s strategic importance for travellers in the east of London, Essex, and the wider East Anglia region. Upton emphasised the convenience of Southend Airport, stating, “EasyJet passengers will start their holiday sooner at London Southend as they relax and discover our award-winning terminal experience.”
Connectivity and Accessibility
London Southend Airport boasts a dedicated on-site rail station, which is less than one hour from central London and only 43 minutes from Stratford, with connections to the Elizabeth Line. The station is conveniently located just 100 paces from the terminal door, enhancing the travel experience for passengers.
Future Prospects
With the relaunch of its Southend base, EasyJet aims to capitalize on the demand for travel from the surrounding regions, offering more destinations and improved connectivity. The move is expected to create jobs and support the local economy, reinforcing Southend Airport’s position as a key player in the UK’s aviation landscape.
As EasyJet prepares for the relaunch, travelers can look forward to more flight options and the convenience of flying from a well-connected and accessible airport.