Stobart’s Southend plans take off with Easyjet deal

TRANSPORT group Stobart has struck a deal with Easyjet to fly from its London Southend Airport in Essex.

The group has been developing the infrastructure at the airport in recent years and Easyjet’s presence is expected to bring 800,000 passengers a year. At present it handles around 200,000.

The budget airline has committed to 10 years from April 2012 and will initially use it as a base for three aircraft servicing 10 European destinations including Barcelona, Faro and Ibiza.

Stobart is confident of the airport’s potential, particularly ahead of the 2012 Olympics. Central London is 50 minutes by train and there is a direct rail service to Stratford in east London, close to the Olympic stadium.

The group’s chief executive Andrew Tinkler, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with EasyJet. This supports and validates our strategy to develop London Southend as a fast and friendly airport serving London and the South East. Our target is to achieve in excess of two million passengers and this agreement allows us to have continued confidence in this target.”
 
Catherine Lynn, EasyJet’s customer and revenue director, said: “We are excited to be opening London Southend as EasyJet’s 20th base airport. The airport is in a fantastic location just outside London with a fast rail link into the city.

“This is a unique opportunity to offer a world class customer experience, with passengers able to get from the plane to the train in 15 minutes.”