Jump to content

London Southend Airport

Coordinates: 51°34′13″N 000°41′36″E / 51.57028°N 0.69333°E / 51.57028; 0.69333
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Southend Airport)

London Southend Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerLondon Southend Airport Company Ltd.
OperatorThe Carlyle Group
Serves
LocationSouthend-on-Sea and Rochford, England, United Kingdom
Opened1935; 89 years ago (1935)
Operating base foreasyJet
Built1914; 110 years ago (1914)
Elevation AMSL55 ft / 17 m
Coordinates51°34′13″N 000°41′36″E / 51.57028°N 0.69333°E / 51.57028; 0.69333
Websitewww.southendairport.com
Map
SEN / EGMC is located in Essex
SEN / EGMC
SEN / EGMC
Location in Essex
SEN / EGMC is located in England
SEN / EGMC
SEN / EGMC
SEN / EGMC (England)
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
05/23 1,856 6,089 Asphalt
Statistics (2023)
Passengers146,072
Passenger change 22-23Increase 63%
Aircraft movements31,546
Movements change 22-23Increase 18%
Sources: UK AIP at NATS[1]
Statistics from the UK Civil Aviation Authority[2]

London Southend Airport (IATA: SEN, ICAO: EGMC) is an international airport situated on the outskirts of Southend-on-Sea in Essex, England, approximately 36 mi (58 km) from the centre of London.[3] The airport straddles the boundaries between the city of Southend-on-Sea and the Rochford District.

Southend was the UK's third-busiest airport during the 1960s, behind Heathrow and Manchester, before passenger numbers dropped off in the 1970s.[4][5][6] Following its purchase by Stobart Group in 2008,[6] a development programme[7][8][9] provided a new terminal[10] and control tower,[11] extended the runway,[12] and opened Southend Airport railway station (on the Shenfield–Southend line), which provides a connection to central London via a regular rail service between Liverpool Street Station and Southend Victoria.[11]

Overview

[edit]

Description

[edit]

The airport is located between Southend-on-Sea and Rochford town and city centres, 1.5 NM (2.8 km; 1.7 mi) north of Southend,[1] in the county of Essex, 36 mi (58 km) east of central London. It has a single 1,856m (6,089ft) long asphalt runway on a south-west/north-east axis.[13]

The current passenger terminal, built in 2012, has the capacity to serve five to six million passengers per year.[14] The former terminal is now operated by the London Southend Jet Centre, a fixed-base operator who provide facilities for the handling of executive aircraft.[15] A four-star Holiday Inn hotel adjacent to the airport entrance, owned by Esken, opened on 1 October 2012, at that time having the only rooftop restaurant in Essex.[16]

London Southend was voted the best airport in Britain for three consecutive years by consumer group Which? in 2013,[17] 2014[18] and 2015.[19] It won best London airport for six consecutive years between 2013-2019.[20] In the years the airport did not rank number one it has typically scored well.

The airport was put up for sale by then-current owner Esken in March 2023 following a review of the group's core businesses.[21][22] In March 2024, The Carlyle Group alongside Cyrrus Capital Partners took ownership of the airport providing up to £32m of new investment.[23]

Operations

[edit]
Aerial view looking north-east, prior to the construction of the runway extension

London Southend Airport mainly handles scheduled passenger, charter, cargo and business flights, alongside general aviation flying and pilot training (both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter). The airport is run by London Southend Airport Co Ltd, which employs around 250 people.[24] During the large 2012 airport expansion, there were over 500 more people working at the airport compared to the same time in 2011.[25]

Southend Airport has a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Ordinary Licence that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee (London Southend Airport Company Limited).[26]

The airport's location means it has an excellent weather record, and is used by airlines as a diversion alternative when adverse weather or incidents cause other London airports to be closed.[27]

Airline ground handling is provided by Esken-owned Star Handling,[28] while the London Southend Jet Centre handles aircraft using their services.[29]

Companies located within the airport boundary employ around 450 workers, with businesses including aircraft maintenance, flying clubs and the airport-owned hotel.[30] Previously British World Airlines had its head office at Viscount House at London Southend Airport.[31]

easyJet began operating services by opening a base at Southend in April 2012[32][33] and Irish carrier Aer Lingus Regional began regular flights to Dublin in May,[34] resulting in a rapid increase in airport passenger numbers during 2012,[2] with 721,661 using the airport in that year,[35] 969,912 in 2013[2] and 1,102,358 in 2014.[2] The following year saw a decline to 900,648 and again to 874,549 in 2016, while 2017 saw passenger numbers increase more than 25% to 1,095,914.[2] In 2011, the airport operator planned to reach passenger numbers of two million per year by 2020.[5][8] In 2018, the airport saw an increase of nearly 400,000 passengers over the previous year's total, with just over 1.4 million passengers.[36] The airport successfully reached over two million passengers in 2019, its best year to date.[37] Since 2020 and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport declined however is in resurgence as of 2023.

History

[edit]

Early years

[edit]
Personnel of 121 Squadron watch Supermarine Spitfires coming into land at RAF Rochford, August 1943

In 1909, two men from Leigh tested their monoplanes in the same site of the airport.

The airfield was established by the Royal Flying Corps during World War I. It was the largest flying ground in Essex, with the greatest number of units. In May 1915 the Royal Navy Air Service (RNAS) took over until 4 June 1916, when it became RFC Rochford. It was designated as night fighter station and many sorties were flown against Zeppelin airship raiders, including LZ38 on 31 May 1915. Around 1919, the station closed and reverted to farmland, which it remained as until 1933 when Southend Borough Council bought the land.[38][39]

The airport was officially opened as a municipal airport on 18 September 1935 by the Under-Secretary of State for Air, Sir Philip Sassoon, who arrived in his de Havilland Leopard Moth.[40]

In 1939, the Air Ministry requisitioned the airfield and it was known as RAF Rochford during World War II as a satellite airfield. During World War II, it became a base for fighter squadrons comprising Supermarine Spitfires and Hawker Hurricanes as well as Bristol Blenheims.[41] By 28 October 1940, RAF Rochford had been renamed RAF Southend, no longer being a satellite of Hornchurch, although they still had Fighter Control at the base. A day later 264 Squadron arrived for night fighter duties equipped with the Boulton Paul Defiant.[42] Many of the 50 pillboxes that were designed to protect the airport from paratroop landings still survive, as does the underground defence control room, which is near to Southend Flying Club. A further 20 or so pillboxes also remain in the surrounding countryside. Canewdon, 2 mi (3.2 km) north-east of the airport, was the location of one of the World War II Chain Home radar stations. The 360 ft (110 m) high transmitter tower at Canewdon was relocated to the Marconi works at Great Baddow in the 1950s.[43]

Post-war

[edit]

In the 1950s, three new runways were added, enabling commercial flights for passengers and cargo.[44] Runway 6/24 (now runway 5/23) was extended to 1,645m in 1960, while the third runway was removed.

During the 1960s, Southend became third busiest airport in the UK.[4] In 1967, it served 692,686 passengers; the same year, it had its first fatal crash.[45]

1970s decline

[edit]

At the end of February 1972, Channel Airways, which had its hub and headquarters at Southend, ceased operations.

In the 1970s, the proximity of housing on nearby roads, as well as St Laurence Church on Eastwoodbury Lane less than 100m from the runway prevented expansion. The airport's decline accelerated as jet aircraft were unable to use the runway due to its short length. As flights were withdrawn, engineering and maintenance became a more important part of airport operations.

1993: Regional Airports Ltd

[edit]
Temporary closing of barriers across Eastwoodbury Lane was required for large aircraft movements until the road was diverted to enable the construction of the runway extension in August 2012

In 1993, after the airport had been losing money for many years, Southend Borough Council sold the lease to the airport to Regional Airports Ltd. (RAL), operator of Biggin Hill Airport. London Southend Airport Co. Ltd. was formed to operate the airport which was re-branded as "London Southend Airport" with the term "Municipal" dropping from the title. The previous losses were turned into small profits for majority of tenure by RAL. [citation needed]

The largest aircraft ever to land at the airport was in November 1998 when a Lockheed L-1011 Tristar of Irish airline Aer Turas arrived for scrapping at the airport.[citation needed]

In 2001, a debate centred on the possible relocation of the Grade I listed St Laurence and All Saints Church further away from the side of the main runway. The proposal was dropped after the planning application was rejected by Southend Council in 2003,[46] and a compromise scheme was implemented resulting in the installation of new barriers across Eastwoodbury Lane and requiring slightly shorter licensed runway lengths once safety areas had been added.[47] These changes allowed passenger flights to be restarted, although the runway length still largely curtailed the potential range and payloads for passenger flights, and scheduled airline utilisation was low, until the March 2012 runway extension opened.[48]

Flightline was an airline formed in 1989 headquartered at Southend, where they also had a maintenance/engineering base for their own and third party aircraft. They mainly operated British Aerospace 146 aircraft on ad-hoc charters, and an Avro RJ100 regional jet with which they operated a regular service between Southend and Cologne from 7 June 2006 to 1 December 2008 on behalf of Ford Motor Company as a corporate shuttle.[49] Flightline went into administration on 3 December 2008.[50]

In January 2008, Regional Airports Ltd. put the airport up for sale.[51]

Flybe operated a once weekly summer-only service to Jersey using Dash 8 aircraft, ending in 2011.

2008: Stobart Group

[edit]
Pre-extension terminal building seen from railway station, illustrating proximity.
Interior of terminal building, seen from café by arrivals, and showing check-in area and escalator to departures.

The lease on the airport was bought on 2 December 2008 by the Stobart Group for £21 million, becoming part of the Stobart Air division of the Stobart Group, which also operates Carlisle Airport.[52]

Following council consultation with the local population, a planning application to extend the usable runway length by 300 m (980 ft) to 1,799 m (5,902 ft) and upgrade navigational and lighting aids, was submitted to Southend Borough Council 13 October 2009. Planning permission was granted 20 January 2010. Initially subject to an Article 14 Direction, after due consideration by the Government this was withdrawn 19 March 2010, meaning it would not be subject to a Public Inquiry.[53] A Section 106 agreement was entered into between the airport and local councils.

On 1 June 2010, Stobart Group took a £100 million loan from M & G Investments, partly in order to fund the airport construction.[54] In July 2010, an application for a judicial review of the planning application was filed,[55] which was dismissed on 2 February 2011.[56] On 23 September 2010, the airport received the Airport Achievement Award 2010/11 from the European Regions Airline Association.[57]

A replacement air traffic control tower became operational 21 March 2011, followed by the return of year-round daily passenger services 27 March 2011 when Aer Arann commenced services to Galway and Waterford in Ireland.[58][59]

EasyJet announced a ten-year agreement with Stobart Group in June 2011, and in April 2012 commenced around 70 flights per week from Southend, using three Airbus A319 aircraft based at the airport,[60][61] flying to eight European destinations. Easyjet's operation at the airport increased to 16 destinations and in the summer of 2018 they based a fourth aircraft at Southend, an Airbus A320.[62]

A new on-site rail station opened on 18 July 2011[63] (the official opening by Minister for Transport Theresa Villiers MP was on 21 September 2011),[64] and a new road opened on 1 September 2011, replacing Eastwoodbury Lane that lay in the path required for the runway extension.[65]

2012–2019: London Olympics and expansion of passenger flights

[edit]

Before the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, a new terminal was built by Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd during 2011 and opened 28 February 2012 (the official opening was by Justine Greening, Secretary of State for Transport, on 5 March 2012).[66] The original terminal has been redeveloped for use by private jets, with Stobart Air having invested half a million pounds turning it into an executive business lounge.[67]

The extended runway opened on 8 March 2012. Because planes can land in either direction, it is designated as runway 5 for planes landing from the south-west and as runway 23 for those arriving from the north-east. Both approaches have Category I Instrument Landing Systems installed. In 2019, a new Performance Based Navigation system was proposed, as an alternative to using the Instrument Landing Systems.[68]

In spring 2014, Stobart Air announced that it had agreed a five-year franchise agreement with Flybe which would see two Flybe-branded aircraft based at Southend operating six routes from summer 2014.[69][70] On 18 January 2015, two routes were terminated with the operation reduced to one aircraft. On 7 April 2014, the extension to the passenger terminal was formally opened by Patrick McLoughlin, the Secretary of State for Transport.[71]

ATC Lasham, the major engineering company at the airport, entered administration in October 2015.[72] The main hangar that it used dated back to Aviation Traders Engineering Limited (ATEL) – founded by the late Sir Freddie Laker – and was later used by Heavylift Engineering.

In December 2016, Flybe announced it would be adding new routes from summer 2017 to 12 European destinations, primarily aimed at the weekend break customers.[73] The airline based two Embraer 195 aircraft at the airport. In October 2017, Flybe added high frequency domestic routes to the airport, with up to 18 flights per week to Manchester, up to 16 flights per week to Dublin and up to 10 flights per week to Glasgow. An additional ATR 72 was based at the airport to operate the Manchester flights, bringing the total number of Flybe aircraft based at Southend to four.[74]

In February 2018, Air Malta announced it would begin flights to Cagliari, Catania and Malta,[75] which began in May 2018 although the Cagliari and Catania flights ceased in January 2019.[76] In June 2018, Ryanair announced it would open a base at Southend, basing three aircraft there operating 55 flights per week to 13 destinations,[77] which began in April 2019. In October 2018, Flybe announced it would commence five flights per week to Newquay Airport from April 2019, increasing to daily from May 2019.[78]

In May 2019, Loganair started to fly to Aberdeen, Glasgow and Stornoway;[79] in July 2019 to Carlisle, and Derry flights moved from Stansted to Southend on 27 October 2019.[80] On 31 October 2019 Ryanair announced four new routes to launch in Summer 2020 - Bergerac, Girona and Marseille[81] were first announced before Rodez was announced[82] as the route was moved from Stansted to Southend. On 14 November 2019 Loganair announced that the Stornoway to Glasgow to Southend service would be withdrawn from 3 January 2020.[83][84]

2020–2021: COVID-19 pandemic and consolidation

[edit]

On 22 January 2020, Norwegian airline Widerøe announced it would move its Kristiansand route from Stansted to Southend at the start of the Summer 2020 season,[85] however due to the COVID-19 pandemic this was initially postponed until 26 October 2020 before being cancelled completely when the airline chose not to return to the airport and moved to Heathrow in March 2021.[citation needed]

On 20 February 2020, it was announced Loganair would suspend its Aberdeen service[86] and on 23 March, similarly the Carlisle service.[87]

At the commencement of the COVID-19 UK lockdown, Wizz Air's revised schedule consolidated the Sibiu route at Luton Airport from when it re-started, cutting the route from Southend. In June 2020, Wizz Air cut Vilnius as a destination from Southend as well,[88] leaving it with one route to Bucharest which had also since been suspended.

On 17 August 2020, easyJet announced it would close its base at Southend entirely due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the last scheduled flight occurring on 31 August 2020.[89] On 6 August 2021, Ryanair also announced the closure of its base at Southend, effective 30 October 2021[90] leaving the airport with barely any scheduled services for the time being.

2021–present: Post-COVID-19 resumption

[edit]

On 17 December 2021, easyJet signed a multi-year deal with the airport and announced that they would initially return in a limited capacity with routes to Málaga and Palma de Mallorca.[91] In 2022 it was announced that easyJet would add flights to Amsterdam and Faro for the Summer 2023 season.[92] Further routes to Paris, Geneva, Grenoble and Alicante were announced in 2023.[93]

In May 2022, Air Horizont announced it would base two of its Boeing 737 aircraft at the airport for VIP charter flights.[94] In September 2022, ASL Airlines Ireland, operating for Amazon, announced it would terminate its cargo flights from Southend to Rome which was the airport's sole scheduled freight operation.[95]

On 21 June 2023, the airport owner, Esken announced that the airport had been put up for sale following a strategic review of the group's businesses.[96] In July 2023, BH Air announced a route to Burgas for the Summer 2024 season.[97] In August 2023, 2Excel Aviation, operating for Oil Spill Response, announced it would use the airport as a base for its two Boeing 727 aircraft to respond to international oil incidents.[98]

On 6 March 2024, it was announced that The Carlyle Group, alongside Cyrrus Capital Partners, would take control of the airport in a deal which would "return no value" to Esken's shareholders.[99] The deal settled Esken's debt to Carlyle whilst providing a £5m bridge loan and a commitment of £32m of new funding to secure the airport's future.[100]

On 16 May 2024, easyJet announced that the airline will return to base at Southend Airport with six new destinations immediately announced, with those destinations being served by three Airbus A320neo aircraft.[101] On 23 September 2024, BH Air announced it would renew its Burgas route for the Summer 2025 season.[102]

Facilities

[edit]

Terminal

[edit]

The current terminal was built in 2012 as a part of the Stobart Group's development upon taking over the airport. It has twelve check-ins, two floors, ten departure gates and two baggage claims. There are several amenities such as shops and places to eat and drink.[103]

London Southend Jet Centre

[edit]

The London Southend Jet Centre is a fixed-base operator established in 2017 and situated at the airport with their own terminal, parking stands and hangar. The Jet Centre specialises in VIP facilities and handling for business and private aviation, alongside providing services to aircraft that have based themselves with the Jet Centre.[104]

Runway

[edit]

There were originally three runways in the 1950s with one removed in the 1960s. A second one was also removed in the 1990s, leaving one runway remaining and used today, 23/05.

In 2012, there was an additional 300m runway extension to bring its present length to 1,856m (6,089ft) alongside equipping both ends of the runway with category I instrument landing system.[48][105] In 2019, the runway was resurfaced to grooved asphalt for better durability and performance so that heavier aircraft, such as the Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A321, can commercially operate at the airport.[106]

Some of the largest aircraft that have operated at the airport, for maintenance or scrapping, include the Airbus A300, Lockheed L-1011 TriStar and Ilyushin Il-76.[107][108][109]

Airlines and destinations

[edit]

The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights at London Southend Airport:[110][111]

AirlinesDestinations
BH Air Seasonal charter: Burgas[112]
easyJet[113] Alicante,[114] Amsterdam, Paris–Charles de Gaulle[115]
Seasonal: Almería (begins 1 April 2025),[116] Antalya (begins 1 April 2025),[117] Dalaman (begins 31 March 2025),[118] Enfidha (begins 30 March 2025),[119] Faro, Geneva,[120] Gran Canaria (resumes 30 March 2025),[121] Málaga, Malta (resumes 30 March 2025),[122] Marrakesh (begins 1 April 2025),[123] Palma de Mallorca, Pisa (begins 31 March 2025),[124] Reus (begins 1 April 2025),[125] Tenerife–South (begins 1 April 2025)[126]

Statistics

[edit]
Annual passenger traffic at SEN airport. See Wikidata query.
Busiest routes to or from London Southend Airport (2023) [127]
Rank Airport Passengers handled Change
2023
1 Málaga 41,968 Decrease 1.2%
2 Palma de Mallorca 36,734 Increase 30.1%
3 Amsterdam 30,441 Increase New/Returning Route for 2023
4 Faro 20,363 Increase 22.7%
5 Paris–Charles de Gaulle 8,412 Increase New/Returning Route for 2023
6 Alicante 5,819 Increase New/Returning Route for 2023
7 Geneva 2,071 Increase New/Returning Route for 2023
Airport passengers and air movements[128]
Year Passengers Air movements
1994 495 51,223
1995 600 54,826
1996 4,251 57,361
1997 9,000 TBA
1998 4,000 TBA
1999 3,555 TBA
2000 3,262 TBA
2001 4,366 TBA
2002 4,959 43,054
2003 2,702 42,803
2004 3,224 37,558
2005 5,133 38,696
2006 30,222 TBA
2007 49,311 39,881
2008 44,075 37,227
2009 3,948 31,789
2010 3,583 27,320
2011 42,439 25,470
2012 616,974 27,715
2013 969,912 29,443
2014 1,102,358 30,514
2015 900,658 23,358
2016 874,549 23,449
2017 1,092,391 26,674
2018 1,480,139 32,531
2019 2,035,535 36,473
2020 401,143 18,401
2021 94,367 34,114
2022 89,361 26,624
2023 146,072 31,546
2024 (Jan-Aug) 191,377 19,168

Ground transport

[edit]
Southend Airport railway station. The terminal can be seen on the right.

Rail

[edit]

The airport has its own railway station near the terminal building, Southend Airport railway station on the Shenfield to Southend Line, which opened in 2011. It is served by Greater Anglia connecting the airport to Liverpool Street station in London usually every 20 minutes, with additional services during peak times, and to Southend Victoria railway station in the other direction. The journey to London takes about 55 minutes.[129]

An additional later train operates to London every night, except Saturday night, with an early morning train to the airport from London every day, except Sunday morning.[130]

Bus

[edit]

The airport is served by buses operated by Arriva Southend from the airport entrance to Southend (7, 8 and 9), Rochford (7 and 8), Ashingdon (7), Hawkwell (8), Hockley (7 and 8), Eastwood (9) and Rayleigh (7, 8 and 9).[131] First Essex operates Essex Airlink X30 from the terminal to Chelmsford and London Stansted Airport.[132][133] On 8 June 2019, Ensignbus started operating the Jetlink X1,[134][135] a night bus service running once in each direction from Southend Airport to Grosvenor Gardens, London via Lakeside Shopping Centre bus station, Canning Town and Embankment stations, however this bus service was later withdrawn due to it being banned by the airport authorities.[136][137] It recommenced on 5 October 2019 [138][139] but was withdrawn again in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Accidents and incidents

[edit]
  • On 11 February 1944, a Boeing B-17 42-31694 of the USAAF (511th BS) crash-landed and burned out at Southend after receiving battle damage during a raid on Frankfurt.[140]
  • On 11 May 1944, B17G 42-107147 of the USAAF (360BS) made an emergency wheels-up landing with heavy flak damage after a mission to Saarbrücken.[141]
  • On 12 July 1957, a Lockheed Constellation of TWA made an emergency landing with one engine on fire while routing from Frankfurt to Heathrow.[142]
  • On 28 July 1959, an East Anglian Flying Services Vickers 614 Viking 1 (registered G-AHPH) was written off in a landing accident at the airport. On approach, the aircraft's right-hand main gear indicator showed that the gear was unsafe. An emergency landing was made on the grass parallel to the runway. The right gear collapsed and the aircraft swung to the right, damaging it beyond repair. None of the 39 occupants were injured.[143]
  • On 9 October 1960, a Handley Page Hermes of Falcon Airways (registration: G-ALDC) overran the runway on landing, ending up across the Shenfield to Southend railway line. The aircraft was written off, but all 76 people on board survived.[144]
  • On 3 May 1967, a Vickers Viscount of Channel Airways (registration: G-AVJZ) was written off when a propeller was feathered on take-off. Two people on the ground died.[145]
  • On 4 May 1968, a Vickers Viscount of Channel Airways (registration: G-APPU) overran the runway, having landed at too high a speed. The aircraft was written off.[146]
  • On 3 June 1971, a Douglas DC-3 of Moormanair (registration: PH-MOA) returned for an emergency landing with one engine partially failed shortly after departure to the Netherlands. The aircraft was carrying supporters of Ajax Football Club. It overran the runway on landing, colliding with an earth bank at the end of the runway and slightly injuring 2 of the 32 passengers on board.[147][148]
  • On 4 October 1974, the flight engineer of a DAT Douglas DC-6 (registration: OO-VGB) retracted the nose gear during take-off, even though the aircraft was not yet airborne, due to a communication error with the pilots. The aircraft slid along the runway and was damaged beyond repair. Of the 99 passengers on board the flight to Antwerp, one was severely injured and another four received minor injuries from evacuating the aircraft. The six crew members remained uninjured.[149][150]
  • On 9 March 1986, a Vickers Viscount (registration: G-BLNB) made a wheels up landing, the landing gear warning horn not having functioned correctly. There were no injuries to the 3 occupants; after repair the aircraft was returned to service.[151][152]
  • On 12 September 1987, a Beechcraft 200 (registration: G-WSJE) carrying newspapers crashed at night into Mac's Garage on the Eastwood Road in Rayleigh. The pilot, 33-year-old Hugh Forrester Brown from nearby Canewdon, was thought to have attempted to crash land on the road after take-off, but he was unable to and hit the empty garage; he was killed in the crash.[153]
  • On 11 January 1988, a Vickers Viscount of British Air Ferries (registration: G-APIM) was damaged beyond economic repair when it was in a ground collision with a Fairflight Short 330 (registration: G-BHWT). The BAF Viscount was subsequently repaired and donated to Brooklands Museum for preservation.[154]
  • On 6 March 1997, a Piper PA-34 Seneca (registration: G-NJML) flying a charter taking aircraft spare parts to Ostend crashed 3.5 mi (5.6 km) to the north-east of the airport while attempting to return following the failure of the gyroscope in the aircraft's attitude indicator. One of the two occupants died; the other was seriously injured.[155]
  • On 19 July 2006, a Cessna 150 (registration: G-BABB) being flown by a student pilot on his second solo flight crashed into a public park 1 nmi (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) from the airport. The student pilot was fatally injured.[156]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Nats | Ais – Home". Nats-uk.ead-it.com. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Aircraft and passenger traffic data from UK airports". UK Civil Aviation Authority. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Google Maps". Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Southend Airport records busiest year ever". ADS Advance. 10 January 2014.
  5. ^ a b EasyJet Helps Make Southend London's Sixth Major Airport Archived 19 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine London.net, published 16 June 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011
  6. ^ a b EasyJet to offer flights from Southend Archived 19 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine Financial Times, published 16 June 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011
  7. ^ Airport sold to Eddie Stobart Archived 15 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine Echo, published 3 December 2008 (The Airport comprises various parts of land that are controlled by several leases and all of the land is controlled by SBC as freehold owner and landlord). Retrieved 17 June 2011
  8. ^ a b London Southend Airport's new control tower operational Archived 28 December 2018 at the Wayback Machine BBC, published 4 April 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011
  9. ^ Minister gives Southend airport the go-ahead Archived 28 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine BBC, published 19 March 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2011
  10. ^ "Southend Airport runs first flight from new terminal". BBC News. 28 February 2012. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  11. ^ a b "London Southend Airport opens station and control tower". BBC News. 18 July 2011. Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  12. ^ "About Us – London Southend Airport". Archived from the original on 9 January 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  13. ^ "Southend – Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  14. ^ "Southend Airport reveals huge expansion plans and 20m passengers a year ambition". Echo News. 16 November 2019. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  15. ^ "London Southend Jet Centre". Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  16. ^ "New London Southend Airport Holiday Inn Opens". London Southend Airport. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  17. ^ "Which? reveals the best and worst UK airports – August – 2013 – Which? News". Which.co.uk. 17 August 2013. Archived from the original on 25 August 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  18. ^ "Which? reveals the best and worst UK airports – August – 2013 – Which? News". Which.co.uk. 22 August 2014. Archived from the original on 17 December 2014. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
  19. ^ "Southend scores hat trick on best airport". The Echo. 23 September 2015. Archived from the original on 26 October 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  20. ^ @SouthendAirport (3 September 2019). "A new Which? survey has ranked us the Best London Airport for the 6th year running. And we came second best in the UK. Thank you to our amazing passengers and our hard-working staff" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 September 2019 – via Twitter.
  21. ^ "Council confident in Southend Airport's future ahead of sale". Echo News. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  22. ^ "Owners confirm sale of Southend Airport is "progressing"". BBC News. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  23. ^ "US firm Carlyle to take control of Southend airport after debt deal". The Guardian. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  24. ^ "LSA Community Noise Forum" (PDF). 14 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  25. ^ "LSA Annual Report Page 10" (PDF). London Southend Airport. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 January 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  26. ^ "Civil Aviation Authority Aerodrome Ordinary Licences" (PDF). caa.co.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 June 2011.
  27. ^ "Air Transport Landings Diverted To Reporting Airports 2015 Classified by Airport of Intended Landing and Actual Landing" (PDF). caa.co.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  28. ^ "Skytanking acquires Star Handling from Esken". 15 May 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  29. ^ "London Southend Jet Centre". Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  30. ^ "LSA Annual Report 2022-23" (PDF). Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  31. ^ "How to Contact Us." British World Airlines. 7 May 1999. Retrieved on 17 February 2019.
  32. ^ Stobart Group strikes deal with easyJet at Southend Airport Archived 18 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine rail.co, published 17 June 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011
  33. ^ Hackwell, Stephen (3 April 2012). "Dawn of a new era as first easyJet flight soars from Southend Airport". Southend Standard. Archived from the original on 22 September 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  34. ^ "New Ireland & USA Gateway Opens with Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Aer Arann Route Launch". Archived from the original on 26 August 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  35. ^ "London Southend Airport enjoys its busiest year EVER". Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  36. ^ "1". Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  37. ^ "CAA Annual Airport Data 2019". Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  38. ^ "Southend airport's roots in war". Echo. 10 April 2008. Archived from the original on 28 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  39. ^ "Pastscape - Detailed Result: London Southend Airport". www.pastscape.org.uk. Archived from the original on 21 June 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  40. ^ "1935 | 2- 0371 | Flight Archive". Flightglobal.com. 26 September 1935. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  41. ^ British Pathé newsreel footage: Fighter Station Scramble 1940 _ http://www.britishpathe.com/video/fighter-station-scramble/query/two Archived 17 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  42. ^ Peter C. Brown (2012). RAF Southend. History Press. ISBN 9780752477015.
  43. ^ "Borough Heritage-The Great Baddow Mast" (PDF). Chelmsford.gov.uk. May 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  44. ^ "About Us".
  45. ^ Palmer, Emma (22 July 2023). "Southend Airport's first fatal plane crash over 50 years ago". Southend Echo. Archived from the original on 4 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  46. ^ "Committee meeting minutes" (PDF). Historic Built Environment Advisory Committee meeting minutes. 20 February 2003. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 August 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2007.
  47. ^ "Southend: Future's bright for our airport" See newspaper Southend Evening Echo, Business News section, 19 December 2003
  48. ^ a b "Airport Technology: London Southend Airport". Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  49. ^ "LONDON SOUTHEND AIRPORT" (PDF). www.southendairport.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2011.
  50. ^ Tait, Jim (5 December 2008). "Eastern takes over early as Flightline goes bust". The Shetland Times. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  51. ^ "Southend airport up for sale". Financial Times. 28 January 2008. Archived from the original on 31 December 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  52. ^ "Stobart to buy Southend Airport for up to 21 mln stg". Reuters. 2 December 2008. Archived from the original on 30 December 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  53. ^ "Expansion gets go-ahead". Southend Echo. 19 March 2010. Archived from the original on 19 September 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  54. ^ "Widnes NEW Brochure:Layout 1" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  55. ^ "Southend Council taken to court over runway extension planning permission". airportwatch. 28 July 2010. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
  56. ^ "Legal_challenge_to_Southend_Airport_plan_dismissed". Southend Echo. 3 February 2011. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  57. ^ "London Southend Airport Runs Away With Airport Award". European Regions Airline Association. 24 September 2010. Archived from the original on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  58. ^ "Stobart agrees to invest in Aer Arann". The Irish Times. 12 October 2010. Archived from the original on 10 November 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
  59. ^ "First Aer Arann scheduled flights from Ireland arrive at Southend Airport". Echo News. 28 March 2011. Archived from the original on 3 April 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  60. ^ "London Southend Airport Agrees 10 Year Contract with easyJet" (Press release). Stobart Group. 16 June 2011. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  61. ^ "easyJet to Launch Services from London Southend Airport" (Press release). Stobart Group. 16 June 2011. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  62. ^ "Easyjet to fly high with huge passenger boost at airport". Echo. 4 October 2017. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  63. ^ "London Southend Airport opens station and control tower". BBC News. 18 July 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  64. ^ "Southend Airport railway station officially opened". BBC News. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  65. ^ "Southend Airport: New £5m link road opened". BBC News. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  66. ^ "New London Southend Airport Passenger Terminal Officially Opened By Secretary of State For Transport". London Southend Airport. 5 March 2012. Archived from the original on 7 May 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  67. ^ "New Business Lounge for high flyers opens at London Southend Airport". London Southend Airport. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  68. ^ "Introduction of New Approach Procedures" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority. 28 March 2019. pp. 9–10. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 March 2022.
  69. ^ "Stobart Air announces partnership with Flybe based at London Southend Airport". London Southend Airport. Archived from the original on 22 April 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  70. ^ "New route to London Southend from Maastricht Aachen". London Southend Airport. 24 April 2014. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  71. ^ "Look who is coming to Southend Airport". Echo News. Archived from the original on 6 April 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  72. ^ "ATC Lasham based at Southend Airport goes into administration". The Echo. 2 October 2015. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  73. ^ "European weekend breaks open up to Southend passengers as 12 new routes unveiled". Echo. 22 December 2016. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  74. ^ "Flybe - Coming Soon". Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  75. ^ "Malta Flights". Airmalta.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  76. ^ "Air Malta scraps flights from Southend less than a year after introduction". The Echo. 4 January 2019. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  77. ^ "Ryanair will fly from Southend in new £225m deal". The Echo. 13 June 2018. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  78. ^ Hough, Kirsty (18 October 2018). "You will soon be able to fly from Southend to Newquay". Basildon Canvey Southend Echo. Newsquest. Archived from the original on 31 December 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  79. ^ "First ever Stornoway-London flights announced by Loganair". Archived from the original on 2 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  80. ^ "Route from Southend to City of Derry Airport to launch this weekend". The Echo. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  81. ^ "Ryanair Launches 6 New Routes In London Southend For Summer 2020". corporate.ryanair.com. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  82. ^ "Ryanair Launches New London Southend Route To Rodez, France". corporate.ryanair.com. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  83. ^ "Loganair to scrap Stornoway to London Southend route". stv.tv. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  84. ^ "Loganair axes Southend-Glasgow route". travelweekly.co.uk. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  85. ^ "Widerøe Kristiansand – London service changes from late-March 2020". Routesonline.
  86. ^ "Southend to Aberdeen flights cancelled as route proves unpopular". Echo. 20 February 2020.
  87. ^ "Flights from Carlisle Lake District Airport suspended". www.loganair.co.uk.
  88. ^ "Ryanair sweeps in with tickets as little as £10 as key Southend Airport route is axed". Echo. 22 June 2020.
  89. ^ Lawson, Alex (17 August 2020). "EasyJet confirms bases at Stansted, Southend and Newcastle to close". www.standard.co.uk.
  90. ^ "Revealed: Ryanair to CLOSE base at Southend Airport". Echo. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  91. ^ Berrill, Lewis (17 December 2021). "EasyJet to return to Southend Airport from May of next year". Southend Echo. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023.
  92. ^ Berrill, Lewis (30 June 2022). "EasyJet returning to Southend Airport in 2023". Southend Echo. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023.
  93. ^ "Our Destinations". London Southend Airport. Archived from the original on 28 October 2023.
  94. ^ Jet Centre Have Busiest December on Record 13 January 2023
  95. ^ Amazon night flights to end at Southend Airport 1 September 2022
  96. ^ "Esken puts Southend Airport up for sale as it warns on finances". Evening Standard. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  97. ^ "London Southend Airport announces route to Bourgas, Bulgaria for summer 2024". 21 July 2023.
  98. ^ Boeing 727 Relocates to London Southend Airport 14 August 2023
  99. ^ Esken Limited. "Update on the future of the company". Londonstockexchange.com. London Stock Exchange. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  100. ^ "US firm Carlyle to take control of Southend airport after debt deal". The Guardian. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  101. ^ "EasyJet to open 10th UK base at London Southend Airport next spring". London Southend Airport. 16 May 2024. Archived from the original on 1 June 2024.
  102. ^ "Bourgas is back! Bulgaria flights from London Southend to return in Summer 25". London Southend Airport. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  103. ^ [1] All Services & Facilities
  104. ^ "Welcome to London Southend Jet Centre". LSJC Website.
  105. ^ "Airport Technology, London Southend Airport". Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  106. ^ "London Southend Airport Runway Resurfacing". 15 April 2019. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  107. ^ "Airbus A300 at Southend". 14 May 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  108. ^ "Lockheed L-1011 at Southend". August 1998. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  109. ^ "Ilyushin Il-76 at Southend". October 2001. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  110. ^ southendairport.com - Destinations retrieved 21 March 2021
  111. ^ "Experience The Magic of Lapland - London Southend Airport" retrieved 4 May 2023
  112. ^ "Flights to popular holiday spot returning to Southend Airport after successful summer". 23 September 2024.
  113. ^ "easyJet NS25 London Southend Network Expansion". Aeroroutes.
  114. ^ "Essex airport announces long-awaited return of its 'most popular' route". 22 August 2023.
  115. ^ "EasyJet to launch year-round Southend-Paris route this winter".
  116. ^ "Southend Airport easyJet new Mediterranean routes announced". 22 August 2024.
  117. ^ "EasyJet to open 10th UK base at London Southend Airport next spring". 16 May 2024.
  118. ^ "EasyJet to open 10th UK base at London Southend Airport next spring". 16 May 2024.
  119. ^ "EasyJet to open 10th UK base at London Southend Airport next spring". 16 May 2024.
  120. ^ "New route to Geneva". 6 July 2023.
  121. ^ "EasyJet to open 10th UK base at London Southend Airport next spring". 16 May 2024.
  122. ^ "Southend Airport easyJet new Mediterranean routes announced". 22 August 2024.
  123. ^ "easyJet NS25 London Southend Network Expansion". Aeroroutes.
  124. ^ "EasyJet to open 10th UK base at London Southend Airport next spring". 16 May 2024.
  125. ^ "Southend Airport easyJet new Mediterranean routes announced". 22 August 2024.
  126. ^ "EasyJet to operate flights from Southend to Tenerife in summer 2025".
  127. ^ "Annual airport data 2023 | Civil Aviation Authority". www.caa.co.uk. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  128. ^ "Annual airport data (1994-2024) | Civil Aviation Authority". www.caa.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  129. ^ "London Southend Airport - Trains – General Information". southendairport.com. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016.
  130. ^ "Southend Airport: Greater Anglia to lay on extra trains". 11 June 2019. Archived from the original on 11 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  131. ^ "ARRIVA – Arriva's routes in Southend". Arrivabus.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 July 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  132. ^ "FirstGroup Welcome Page" (PDF). Firstgroup.com. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  133. ^ "London Southend Airport - Bus and Coach". southendairport.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015.
  134. ^ "London Southend Airport Shuttle Bus". Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  135. ^ "New bus service makes Southend Airport easier than ever to access". October 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  136. ^ "X1 Jetlink Service". Ensign Bus Company. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  137. ^ Dunn, Madaline (18 June 2019). "New Ensignbus service withdrawn due to Southend Airport banning its vehicles". CBW. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  138. ^ "Bus services - approved onsite Jetlink X1". 2 October 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  139. ^ "New bus service makes Southend Airport easier than ever to access". October 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  140. ^ "Plane details 2 – planes 42-29847 to 42-31879". Archived from the original on 12 December 2010. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  141. ^ "Sweet Melody 42-107147 Crash". Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  142. ^ "30 Escape burning plane at London". Southeast Missourian. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  143. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Vickers 614 Viking 1 G-AHPH Southend Municipal Airport (SEN)". Aviation Safety Network. 28 July 1959. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  144. ^ "G-ALDC Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 27 January 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
  145. ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
  146. ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
  147. ^ "PH-MOA Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  148. ^ "Douglas DC-3 PH-MOA, Report on the accident at Southend Airport, 3 June 1971" (PDF). Accidents Investigation Branch. 22 November 1972. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 November 2010. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  149. ^ "DAT 1974 accident at the Aviation Safety Network". Aviation Safety Network. 4 October 1974. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  150. ^ "Official report of the 1974 DAT accident at Southend Airport" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  151. ^ "AAIB report of Viscount G-BLNB" (PDF). May 1986. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 February 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  152. ^ "Vickers Viscount Network details of G-BLNB". Archived from the original on 24 February 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  153. ^ "AAIB report of Beech 200 G-WSJE" (PDF). September 1988. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 February 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  154. ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  155. ^ "AAIB report of PA-34 G-NJML" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 February 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  156. ^ "AAIB report of C150 G-BABB". Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • "Airliner World – Going for Olympic Gold: London's Southend Airport, pp. 42–48". Airliner World. Stamford, UK: Key Publishing. September 2010. ISSN 1465-6337. (Airliner World online)
[edit]

Media related to London Southend Airport at Wikimedia Commons