easyJet will initially operate flights to Barcelona adding other destinations such as Madrid, Milan, Amsterdam, Berlin, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast later in the year. Complementing Stansted, which already offers an unrivalled range of European destinations, these new services are further enhancing Essex’s fantastic transport links.

Southend is a great destination for the business traveller, located outside the largely congested sprawl of London means that the business traveller can save 20 minutes on a journey to or from Europe. A new airport railway station is complete enabling passengers to get from the plane to the train in 15 minutes.

Airport Managing Director Alastair Welch said:

“We’ve designed the airport specifically for short-haul travel, with 10 aircraft stands, there won’t be long distances to travel through the terminal.”

Catherine Lynn, easyJet’s Customer and Revenue Director said:

“We are excited to be opening London Southend. The airport is in a fantastic location just outside London with a fast rail link into the city.”

Southend will be the closest large airport to Stratford, the site of the 2012 Olympics offering up to eight train services an hour and direct links to the Olympic Park, in 44 minutes and to London Liverpool Street, in the heart of London’s financial district, 6 minutes later.

London Southend Airport has been on a regeneration drive since the Stobart Group bought the site in 2008. As well as the new £12m airport railway station and a new control tower, there are also plans for a £10 million 129-bedroom hotel at the airport to open in 2012.

The reach and convenience of this new Essex transport hub helps make the global market place more accessible to local businesses.